Protesters in Israel escalated their ongoing campaign on Sunday to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.

JERUSALEM -- Protestors in Israel demanding their government make a deal to secure the release of hostages held by militants in Gaza escalated their campaign on Sunday, staging a strike that snarled traffic and shuttered businesses.

Protests officially began across Israel after the Hostages and Missing Families Forum called for a one-day general strike, demanding the release of all remaining Israeli hostages.