Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today that the army's killing of three hostages in Gaza due to a mix-up of identity was heartbreaking but that “military pressure was necessary” to bring the other prisoners home.
'It broke my heart. “It has broken the hearts of the entire nation,” he said of the deaths, adding: “With all the sadness, I want to make it clear: military pressure is necessary both for the return of the abductees and for the victory over our enemies.”
News of her murder sparked violent protests on the streets of Tel Aviv. The families of the hostages held in Gaza called on the government to urgently reach an agreement to secure their release, fearing that their relatives could be next.
“All we keep getting are dead hostages,” Noam Perry, daughter of hostage Haim Perry, said at an event in Tel Aviv organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
“Our demand is not a fight (with the government).” It is a call that anyone would have made if it had been his father. Consider us and make a plan (for negotiation) now.'
Netanyahu appeared to confirm today that new negotiations are underway to repatriate hostages held by Hamas, after a source said the Israeli intelligence chief met with the prime minister of Qatar, a country that is mediating in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In today's press conference, Netanyahu described the conflict as an existential war that must be fought to victory despite pressures and costs, and said Gaza would be demilitarized and under Israeli security control.
Netanyahu said: “With all the sadness, I want to make it clear: military pressure is necessary both for the return of the abductees and for the victory over our enemies.”
Three Israeli hostages who were accidentally killed by Israeli forces in Gaza held up a white flag. From left to right: Alon Shamriz, Samer El-Talalka and Yotam Haim
People protest with megaphones after the Israeli military announced that they had accidentally killed three Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza at a demonstration in Tel Aviv, Israel, December 15, 2023
'It broke my heart. “It broke the heart of the entire nation,” Netanyahu said of the deaths
He said the Israeli offensive in Gaza helped secure a deal in November for the partial release of hostages and vowed to maintain strong military pressure on Hamas, the terrorist group that rules Gaza and which he has vowed to destroy.
“The instruction I give to the negotiating team is based on this pressure, without which we have nothing,” he said.
Netanyahu spoke after Israel's Mossad spy agency chief David Barnea met Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Europe late Friday, according to a source familiar with the matter, and attention turned to a possible new ceasefire in Gaza prisoners – and hostage deal.
Netanyahu dodged a question about the meeting but confirmed he had given instructions to the negotiating team.
“We have serious criticism of Qatar … but at the moment we are trying to complete the recovery of our hostages,” he said, alluding to the gas-rich Gulf state's ties to Hamas and Israel's arch-enemy Iran.
A Hamas statement said the group “reaffirms its position not to enter into prisoner exchange negotiations unless the aggression against our people stops once and for all,” adding: “The movement shares this position with everyone.” communicated to intermediaries.”
The hostages' families set up tents to sleep after marching to Kirya on December 16, 2023
The deaths of the three hostages sparked anger in Israel, with protesters marching last night to share their fear and anger. Pictured: Relatives and supporters of hostages of Palestinian militants demonstrate in front of the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv
People demonstrate for the release of hostages kidnapped in the deadly October 7 attack by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Tel Aviv, Israel, December 16, 2023
People demonstrate for the release of hostages kidnapped in the deadly October 7 attack by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Tel Aviv, Israel, December 16, 2023
People hold signs as they protest after the Israeli military announced that it had mistakenly killed three Israeli hostages in Tel Aviv, Israel, December 15, 2023
People hold signs as they protest after the Israeli military announced that they had accidentally killed three Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza, at a demonstration in Tel Aviv, Israel, December 15, 2023 became
An Israeli flag is covered in red paint as relatives of hostages held by Hamas demonstrate in front of the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on December 15
Families and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza attend a rally calling for their return in Tel Aviv, Israel, on December 16, 2023
Members of the Kidnapped and Missing Families Forum, founded by the families of Israeli hostages, gather in Hostages Square to protest the Israeli government's demand for a hostage agreement after three deaths in Tel Aviv, Israel, in December Israeli hostages were killed by the IDF on 16. 2023
The Israeli army said the three hostages killed by troops in Gaza on Friday carried a white flag and shouted for help in Hebrew.
It was revealed yesterday that Yotam Haim (28), Alon Shamriz (26) and Samer El-Talalka (22) were tragically shot dead during Israeli operations in Gaza City.
The incident occurred in an area of intense fighting where Hamas operates in civilian clothes and uses deception tactics.
A military official confirmed that the hostages were shot at in violation of Israeli rules of engagement.
The Israeli military said a soldier saw the hostages emerging dozens of meters from Israeli forces in the Shejaiya area. The IDF had previously said the three men had been incorrectly identified as a threat.
Ruby Chen, father of 19-year-old soldier Itai, who is among the hostages taken by Hamas, said: “We feel like we are in a game of Russian roulette (finding out whose turn it is next to know). “Death of your loved one.
“They initially told us that the ground operation would bring back the abductees,” he said.
“It doesn't work.” Because since then you've seen kidnapped people return, but not so much alive. “It’s time to change that assumption,” he said.
Around 250 people were taken hostage in the attacks on Israel by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas on October 7th, with around 1,140 people, mostly civilians, killed, according to Israeli figures.
Promising to destroy Hamas and bring back the hostages, Israel launched a massive offensive against the Palestinian Islamist movement that left much of the Gaza Strip in ruins.
The territory's Hamas government says the war has killed at least 18,800 people, mostly women and children.