Israel's union leader declares 'Complete Strike' on Monday for Gaza ceasefire

The head of Israel's powerful Histadrut trade union ordered a "complete strike" in support of Gaza hostages on Monday and urged a deal to secure their release after the bodies of six captives were recovered.

"We must stop the abandonment of the hostages... I have come to the conclusion that only our intervention can shake those who need to be shaken," said Histadrut chairman Arnon bar David in a statement on Sunday.

"Starting tomorrow at six in the morning, the entire Israeli economy will go on complete strike."

As part of the strike "all take-offs and landings at Ben Gurion airport will stop from 8:00 am (0500 GMT)," David said.

"We need to reach a deal, a deal that is more important than anything else," he said.

"A deal is not progressing due to political considerations and this is unacceptable."

Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli military announced it had recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in Gaza, sparking anger and grief among families of hostages.