Israel's largest trade union calls general strike for Monday as protests swell after hostage deaths

Israel’s largest trade union has called a general strike on Monday following the deaths of six hostages in the Gaza Strip. The Histadrut, which represents some 800,000 workers in such areas as health care, transportation and banking, said the strike would begin on Monday morning. It is aimed at stepping up pressure on the government to reach a ceasefire that would bring home the remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. This would be the first general strike since the Hamas attack on Oct.