Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed sorrow over the deaths of six hostages killed by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, saying the killings show Hamas does not want a cease-fire deal. The hostages were taken during an attack by Hamas on a music festival in southern Israel and a nearby farming community.
Israeli forces recovered the hostages’ bodies from a tunnel in Gaza shortly before reaching them. Netanyahu accused Hamas of scuttling cease-fire efforts and vowed to continue the war until the militant group is eradicated. Hamas blamed Israel and the United States for the deaths, claiming they would still be alive if Israel had accepted a cease-fire proposal.
A forum of hostage families called for a massive protest to demand a complete halt of the country to push for a cease-fire and the release of hostages. Israel believes that around 108 hostages are still held in Gaza, with about one-third of them already dead.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with Hamas-led militants killing over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in an attack on southern Israel. Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, displaced many people, and created a humanitarian catastrophe in the territory.
Netanyahu has faced criticism for the slow progress in cease-fire talks, with some accusing him of failing to strike a deal with Hamas to bring the hostages back alive. Despite ongoing negotiations, Israel and Hamas have yet to reach a comprehensive cease-fire agreement.
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