Israel persists in assaults following hostage liberation.
The Israeli government celebrates the safe return of four hostages from the Gaza Strip, but Palestinians mourn the civilian casualties caused by the Israeli military's "massacre." Critics, including Israelis, attack Prime Minister Netanyahu for his handling of the situation.
In the aftermath of the hostage release in the heart of the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military continued its attacks in the Deir al-Balah and Bureidsch regions. Reports from both Israeli and Arab media sources indicate that targets were under siege, resulting in a death toll of over 270 and nearly 700 injured. While Israel's military claimed "less than 100" people had perished, they remained unclear about the number of terrorists among the casualties.
The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported a staggering death toll of 283 in the past 24 hours and 814 injured. With the Hamas authority in control, the total number of Palestinian deaths since the beginning of the war now stands at more than 37,000. However, independent verification of these figures is impossible. Pictures and stories from the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah suggest a shockingly high number of casualties. Witnesses and humanitarian aid organizations report chaotic conditions in the clinic, packed to the brim with victims. A doctor from Doctors Without Borders paints a harrowing picture of "children lying in pools of blood everywhere."
Despite Israel's claim of success, the high civilian casualties prompted strong international condemnation. The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, welcomed the release of the hostages but denounced the "massacre of civilians." He implored for an immediate end to the bloodshed: "The reports from Gaza of another massacre of civilians are appalling." He added that "we share the relief of their families and demand the release of all remaining hostages."
The Turkish government accused Israel of committing war crimes in its attack on Nuseirat. The Foreign Ministry's statement does not mention the freed hostages, only condemning the assault as a "barbaric attack."
Upon hearing the criticism within Israel, demonstrators gathered, pressing for an urgent agreement with Hamas to free the remaining 120 hostages reportedly held by the terrorist group. The police responded with force, which angered those protesting. It's speculated that some of the remaining hostages may already be dead. Netanyahu's right-wing political partners are reluctant to negotiate with Hamas, possibly resulting in the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel and an end to the fighting in Gaza.
The disapproval against Netanyahu extends beyond the military operation. Opposition leader Yair Lapid vented on Israeli TV, "If you're the Prime Minister, then you're the Prime Minister of successes and failures." He found it distressing that Netanyahu is present for the successful hostage release but fell short of acknowledging the families of victims, who had not received any contact from Netanyahu or other officials.
Netanyahu met with the four released hostages on Saturday night, during the Jewish Sabbath, and had photographs taken with them. These actions sparked outrage from families of Israelis killed in the Hamas massacre on October 7, as well as surviving hostages' relatives, who had not received a visit or any communication from the Prime Minister or his administration.
Read also:
- Despite the celebration of the hostage release, critics, including some Israeli citizens, harshly criticize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his management of the situation, citing the high number of Palestinian civilian casualties caused by Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip.
- The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported that terrorists had taken over 120 hostages, adding to the ongoing tension between Israel and the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
- In response to the international condemnation of the high civilian casualty count in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Netanyahu met with the recently freed hostages, leading to criticism from the families of Israeli civilians who were killed or taken hostage in previous incidents, accusing him of prioritizing propaganda over compassion.
