STORY: Protesters burned tires and blocked traffic near the kibbutz of Yakum, about 30 km (19 miles) north of the Israeli city of Tel Aviv on Tuesday (August 26), as they demanded the return of hostages held in Gaza.

Thick black smoke billowed over the road as demonstrators waved Israeli flags and yellow banners symbolising solidarity with the hostages. Some beat drums and chanted slogans, while others held up images of those still in captivity.

Traffic came to a standstill as protesters occupied both the road and a nearby footbridge, calling for government action.

The protest is part of a nationwide "Day of Disruption" as Israelis, in support of families of hostages held in Gaza, call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach an agreement with Hamas to end the war and release the remaining captives.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: PROTESTERS BLOCKING ROAD, TIRE BURNING AND BLACK SMOKE RISING, PEOPLE CHANTING, TRAFFIC ON ROAD AT STANDSTILL

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: REFILING SCRIPT TO UPDATE STORY BY REMOVING THE WORD "CAPITAL"

SHOWS: NEAR YAKUM, ISRAEL (AUGUST 26, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. TIRE BURNING ON ROAD AND THICK BLACK SMOKE RISING, PROTESTERS CARRYING ISRAELI AND YELLOW FLAGS CHANTING AND BEATING DRUMS ON ROAD AS THEY BLOCK TRAFFIC

2. TRAFFIC AT STANDSTILL

3. ISRAELI FLAG WITH YELLOW RIBBON SYMBOLISING SOLIDARITY WITH ISRAEL'S GAZA HOSTAGES / TIRE BURNING ON ROAD, PROTESTERS CHANTING WHILE HOLDING BANNERS AND IMAGES OF HOSTAGES

4. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS BLOCKING ROAD AND TIRE BURNING

5. TRAFFIC AT STANDSTILL, PROTESTERS STANDING ON FOOTBRIDGE AND ON ROAD

6. VARIOUS OF PROTEST ONGOING