Published 09/03/2024 11:05
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came out publicly to defend himself on Monday (2) from the wave of protests that have shaken Israel since Sunday (1). The prime minister apologized to the families of the six hostages whose bodies were found in tunnels in the Gaza Strip the day before, but distanced himself from a ceasefire agreement by doubling down on the military operation in the enclave.
“I told the families and I repeat tonight: I apologize for not being able to bring them back alive,” he said in a meeting with reporters. “We came close, but we didn’t make it.”
Israeli authorities say there are still 60 hostages in the Gaza Strip, in addition to 35 bodies that need to be rescued and returned to their families.
Last Sunday, the largest protests since the events of October 7th broke out against the war plans of the far-right coalition led by Netanyahu. Around 500,000 people took to the streets to press for a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement. On Monday (2), a general strike paralyzed a series of services in the country and mobilized Netanyahu’s political group.
Despite the mobilization, Netanyahu doubled down and did not mention any inclination to reach a ceasefire and a truce in the Gaza Strip.
“These killers executed six of the hostages with shots to the back of the head,” Bibi said. “After that, they want us to make more concessions? Hamas is the one that needs to make concessions. We have already made them.”
Abu Ubaida, spokesman for Hamas’ armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, said in a statement that “Netanyahu’s insistence on releasing the prisoners through military pressure instead of concluding an agreement means that they will return to their relatives in coffins.”
He added that fighters guarding the hostages had received new orders on how to proceed if Israeli soldiers approached their compound, but did not elaborate. “Netanyahu killed the six prisoners and is determined to kill the remaining ones. The Israelis must choose between Netanyahu and the deal,” he said.
As much as Netanyahu’s apology drew attention for its frankness (it is rare for the prime minister to acknowledge his mistakes), the leader of the Israeli far right doubled down on the massacre in Gaza and did not give in to pressure to sign a ceasefire agreement and thus free the hostages, a demand that brought more than 500,000 protesters to the streets.
On the contrary, the prime minister, who has made the end of the conflict conditional on the total elimination of the terrorist group — which some argue is impossible — has once again raised his tone against the organization. “Israel will not allow this massacre to simply go unnoticed. Hamas will pay a very high price for this.”
The statement is yet another sign that the prime minister has never considered the rescue of the hostages a priority. The war has been used by Netanyahu to save himself from the trials for which the Zionist is answering for corruption and money laundering.
After the interview, the Hostage Families Forum regretted the head of government’s statement and stated “that [Netanyahu] does not intend to return the hostages.”
“The struggle to return the hostages will be intensified and expanded until the last one returns home – the living for rehabilitation and the dead for proper burial,” the forum added.
Biden says Netanyahu hasn’t done enough for hostages
US President Joe Biden said on Monday (2) he believes the Israeli prime minister is not doing enough to secure a deal with Hamas for the release of Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip.
Asked whether he thought Netanyahu was doing enough to secure a deal to return the hostages, Biden said, “No,” without elaborating.
Biden also said the White House is close to presenting a final ceasefire proposal for the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Following Biden’s statement, the Hostage Families Forum thanked the US president for his efforts to reach an agreement to free their family members.
“The Hostage Families Forum commends President Biden and his administration for their actions and determination to secure the release of all 101 hostages. We urge Prime Minister Netanyahu to demonstrate similar resilience, determination, and commitment to the lives of the hostages,” a statement read.
Source: vermelho.org.br
