Kinyarwanda
English
Benyamin Netanyahu calls for continued military pressure despite the anger of hostage families
Israel observed mourning on Saturday, December 16 after the death of three hostages killed “by mistake” by its soldiers in the Gaza Strip. According to the preliminary investigation into the incident, the three hostages were waving a white flag when the troops opened fire, with one of them shouting for help in Hebrew. Despite the anger of the population, Benyamin Netanyahu called for maintaining military pressure.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, upon the army's announcement, regretted "an unbearable tragedy" which plunged "the entire State of Israel into mourning". Several media outlets claim that after the fiasco for the army of the three hostages killed, the Israeli authorities are returning to negotiations.
Relatives of Israeli hostages gathered again Saturday evening in Tel Aviv, urging the government to quickly present a new plan to secure the hostages' release. Despite their anger, Benyamin Netanyahu called for maintaining military pressure.
David Barnea, the head of Mossad, the Israeli foreign secret service, met Friday evening with the Qatari Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, according to a source close to the matter and the Wafa news agency. The meeting was planned in Europe and was to focus on a second phase of truce, to allow the release of hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, suggested on Saturday that new negotiations were underway to recover the hundred hostages still in the hands of Hamas, while the bombings continued in the Gaza Strip. During a televised press conference the day after the death of three hostages shot by mistake by Israeli forces, the head of government described the Gaza conflict as an "existential war" that must be fought until victory, despite the pressures and costs.
Netanyahu also said that he was “heartbroken” at the news of the death of three hostages killed by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, but that “military pressure” must be maintained there. The Israeli Prime Minister told the families of the hostages that only the continuation of the military offensive could allow the release of those still held in Gaza.
Since October 7, according to the Hamas government, approximately 18,800 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza. Nearly 51,000 people were also injured. According to the enclave's Ministry of Health, 70% of the victims are women and young people under 18 years old. More than 1,200 Israelis were killed.
