- Netanyahu pledges retribution for the loss of hostages
"As Israel mourns the loss of the hostages recently slaughtered in Gaza, Prime Minister Netanyahu, under fire from the families of the victims, promises retribution. He declared that Hamas will bear a substantial cost for the slaying of the six Israeli captives whose remains were unearthed last week in a clandestine underground tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip. The Israeli Health Ministry informed reporters that the hostages were executed at close range, approximately 48 to 72 hours prior to the post-mortem examination."
"Israel will not stand idly by and allow this atrocity to go unpunished," Netanyahu asserted at a press briefing later in the day. He extended his condolences to the bereaved families, "regretting that we were unable to save them." He is subject to heavy criticism, with relatives of the deceased accusing him of indirectly leading to their demise through his hardline stance in negotiations with the Islamist terrorist group Hamas.
At the press conference, Netanyahu reiterated his support for Israel's armed forces to maintain control over the so-called Philadelphi Corridor, a 14-kilometer swath along the Gaza Strip and Egypt border. "We will not relinquish the Philadelphi Corridor," he affirmed. It is a crucial strategic and political necessity for Israel.
"Some idiot blew everything up with a speech"
The ongoing presence of Israeli troops in the area would hinder the achievement of a ceasefire agreement and the liberation of the remaining captives still incarcerated by Hamas. Both Hamas and Egypt urge Israel to withdraw its troops. Alongside the US and Qatar, Egypt is facilitating negotiations between Israel and Hamas, who refuse to engage in direct talks.
The mediation deliberations continued by telephone even after the discovery of the six corpses, a US government official revealed to CNN. However, Netanyahu's press conference greatly impeded these efforts: "This guy just blew everything up with a speech," the government official was reported as saying.
President Biden, who still harbors hope for a hostage settlement, also criticized Netanyahu. When asked whether the Israeli prime minister was making sufficient efforts to reach an agreement, Biden replied, "No." Nevertheless, they are "on the verge" of finalizing an agreement to release the remaining captives held by Hamas' custody. When asked what fuels his optimism after numerous failed attempts, Biden retorted, "Hope never dies."
President Herzog seeks forgiveness
At the funeral of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, invited by the family, Israeli President Izchak Herzog spoke. He also extended his apologies, "that we were unable to restore your Hersh to life." Israel's decision-makers now face an urgent mandate, said Herzog: "To salvage those who can still be saved."
Islamic Hamas militants had abducted US-Israeli Goldberg-Polin from the Nova music festival in Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. He was just 23 years old.
New directives for hostage guards
Spokesman for the Al-Kassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, spoke in the evening about "new guidelines" for the guards of Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip, should Israeli forces move towards their hideout. He stated that Israel's intention to free the hostages through military force instead of a deal would result in "their return to their families in coffins."
Propaganda Video Released
Hamas published a propaganda film showing Eden Jeruschalmi alive before the Israeli military found her body in a Gaza Strip tunnel last week. The family of the 24-year-old agreed to disseminate a brief clip of the video, in which she expressed, "A message to my family, whom I adore: I miss you, father, mother, sister Shani, and May. I miss and love you all so much." Israel has previously accused Hamas of psychological warfare in similar instances.
Demonstrations for Hostage Release
Thousands of individuals protested in various parts of Israel, demanding a deal for the release of the remaining captives still held in the Gaza Strip. Protests also took place near Netanyahu's residence, shortly after a hostage's funeral. "Your decisions are culpable for their death," Israeli media quoted a man whose brother remains in Hamas' captivity. There are also calls for demonstrations on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, numerous organizations and government employees went on strike - protesting the slow pace of negotiations for the release of the estimated 100 captives still in the Gaza Strip, with doubt surrounding the number still alive. Many cities and towns took part in the protest, while others stayed aloof, siding more with the government. A labor court ordered an early termination of the strike on Monday afternoon, citing its political motivation.
Netanyahu's press conference, which addressed the situation in the Palestinian territories, significantly impacted the mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas for the release of remaining captives.
In response to the hostage crisis, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of maintaining control over the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategic area in the Palestinian territories.
