Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed doubts about reaching a cease-fire deal with Hamas that would secure the release of hostages, sparking outrage among families of those captured during the conflict. In a tense meeting with the Hostages Families Forum on Tuesday, Netanyahu admitted he was "not sure" a deal could be struck, casting further uncertainty over the fate of more than 100 hostages still held by the militant group in Gaza.
The forum, representing families desperate for the return of their loved ones, has accused Netanyahu of abandoning the hostages, claiming his refusal to negotiate has put their lives at greater risk. "There is no hope and no heroism in a 'firm' stand that will result in the continued death of all the abductees," the group said in a strongly worded statement. They argue that the Israeli government failed to protect their family members during the initial attacks on October 7 and is now neglecting their safety in the ongoing negotiations.
Netanyahu's comments come as the Biden administration pushes a bridging proposal, aiming to reach a cease-fire agreement by the end of the week. While Netanyahu has indicated that Israel could accept the proposal "in principle," Hamas quickly dismissed it as a list of Israeli demands, further complicating the already fragile talks. U.S. President Joe Biden accused Hamas of "backing away" from a potential deal, a claim that Hamas rejected, citing American bias towards Israel.
Adding to the tension, the Israeli military recovered the bodies of six hostages from tunnels beneath the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. Among them was Yagev Buchshtab, a war hero, whose family lashed out at the Israeli government for its handling of the situation. "My uncle was a war hero who lived his whole life building the country," said Zahiro Shahar Mor, Buchshtab's nephew. "Hamas took him, but the continuous abandonment is on the hands of the Israeli government."
Despite the ongoing efforts to secure a deal, Netanyahu remains adamant that Israel will maintain control over the critical Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors, which are key to preventing weapon smuggling into Gaza. This stance has been a significant sticking point in the negotiations, as Hamas demands that Israeli forces withdraw from these areas. Netanyahu's insistence on holding these positions reflects his broader strategy of using military pressure to force Hamas to lower its demands, a tactic that he believes is essential to Israel's national security.
The recovery of the hostages' bodies has only intensified calls for a swift resolution. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which has been advocating for an immediate deal, criticized Netanyahu's comments as effectively torpedoing any chance of an agreement. "The prime minister's remarks are effectively torpedoing the hostage deal," the forum said. "Netanyahu won't face that abandoning the hostages leads to their being murdered in captivity."
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid joined the chorus of criticism, urging Netanyahu to prioritize the lives of the hostages. "Enough with the briefings, enough with the tweets," Lapid said, calling for an immediate deal before more hostages lose their lives. Lapid's comments reflect growing frustration within Israel over the government's handling of the crisis, which has seen public opinion increasingly turn against Netanyahu's hardline approach.
As the diplomatic pressure mounts, the situation remains precarious. Both Iran and Hezbollah have threatened retaliation against Israel for the recent killings of high-level Hamas leaders, further complicating the cease-fire negotiations. The international community watches closely as the deadline for a potential deal approaches, with the lives of the remaining hostages hanging in the balance.
