In a televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his deep regret and asked for forgiveness from the Israeli public after six hostages held in Gaza were found dead. “We were very close,” Netanyahu stated, referring to efforts to rescue the hostages. He remained firm, however, on his stance that Israeli troops must continue to control the Philadelphia Corridor in southern Gaza, a critical passage along the Egypt-Gaza border. This corridor has become a major point of contention in ceasefire talks, as Hamas insists on its evacuation.
Netanyahu described the corridor as a “lifeline for Hamas,” emphasizing its strategic importance in Israel’s ongoing conflict with the group. He reiterated that Israel would not return to normalcy following the recent massacres, vowing that Hamas would “pay a very heavy price.”
The Israeli leader’s comments come amidst growing internal and external pressures. Thousands of Israelis took to the streets in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, protesting Netanyahu’s handling of the hostage situation and urging him to do more to bring the remaining captives home. The demonstrations were sparked by the news of the six hostages’ deaths, deepening the public outcry.
U.S. President Joe Biden also weighed in, stating that while a final deal for a ceasefire and hostage release is close, he does not believe Netanyahu is doing enough to secure an agreement. This criticism adds to the mounting challenges Netanyahu faces from within his own government and from international allies.
Despite the criticism, Netanyahu has remained steadfast, linking control of the Philadelphia Corridor to Israel’s broader security strategy. His remarks suggest that any compromise on this issue is unlikely, even as negotiations continue under intense international scrutiny.
In the midst of these tensions, the UK government announced a partial suspension of arms exports to Israel. This decision, based on concerns over Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law, particularly regarding the treatment of detainees and the facilitation of humanitarian aid, marks a significant political development in the international response to the ongoing conflict.
As the situation evolves, the pressure on Netanyahu from both domestic and international fronts continues to grow, with no clear resolution in sight.
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