Hamas has issued a warning that all hostages will be killed unless Israel makes concessions in the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. A spokesman for the Palestinian group’s military wing said the militants had received new instructions on how to handle captives if Israeli troops approach.
The warning comes as Israel is busy recovering six hostages who were allegedly executed by being shot in the back of the head.
“Netanyahu’s insistence on releasing prisoners under military pressure instead of reaching an agreement will result in them being returned to their families in coffins,” a Hamas spokesman said shortly after the Israeli leader threatened that the group would “pay a very high price” for the hostages’ deaths.
“I apologize for not bringing them back alive. We were close, but we did not succeed,” Netanyahu said at a rare press conference, addressing the families of the hostages held by Hamas since October 7, 2023.
The apology was not enough to stop the uprising in the streets. Thousands of people spent the night protesting in several Israeli cities, demanding an immediate ceasefire to save more than 100 hostages still held by Hamas.
Netanyahu also said he remains committed to controlling the Philadelphi Corridor between Gaza and Egypt, one of the sticking points in talks with Hamas, and that he will not give in to pressure.
LEADER KILLED IN ATTACK
Israel confirmed the deaths of eight Hamas members in Tuesday’s blast. The victims included Ahmed Wadia, the commander responsible for the October 7, 2023, attack on Netiv Haasar that killed 22 people.
WEAPONS LICENSES
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called Britain’s decision to suspend some arms sales to Israel “shameful”, adding to the pressure on Tel Aviv as the British government is one of its closest allies.