Israeli police have blasted crowds with water cannons and made dozens of arrests as thousands of protesters demand a deal to free hostages in Gaza. One protester displays an image of an emaciated Palestinian child.

Protesters in Israel demanding a hostage deal escalated their campaign Sunday with a one-day nationwide strike that blocked roads and closed businesses, as police blasted crowds with water cannons and made dozens of arrests.

The Israeli military will provide Gaza residents with tents and other equipment starting from Sunday ahead of relocating them from combat zones to "safe" ones in the south of the enclave, military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on Saturday.