Netanyahu Vows Continued Action, Hostage Families Demand Stronger Response
During a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed israel’s commitment to confronting it’s adversaries, specifically citing Hamas and Iran’s “Axis of Resistance.” He stated that attempts to “strangle” Israel following the Hamas massacre had been unsuccessful,and declared Israel’s determination to achieve complete victory and its war goals.
The Prime Minister also addressed the families of hostages – both living and deceased – still held in Gaza. He pledged to return the bodies of deceased hostages already promised under a ceasefire agreement, and reiterated his commitment to securing the release of those still alive, stating, “We will spare no effort or resources to bring them back.” Though, he acknowledged a lack of tangible progress on this front.
Currently, Hamas has only returned the remains of nine of the 28 deceased hostages stipulated in the ceasefire agreement. Israel has warned Hamas that a resumption of fighting in Gaza will occur if the agreement is not fully honored.
This lack of progress has fueled frustration amongst hostage families. the Israeli Forum of Hostage Families has called on the government to suspend the ceasefire agreement until Hamas demonstrably fulfills its obligations regarding the return of all hostages and remains.
Hamas, however, maintains its commitment to the agreement, attributing the delays to Israel’s military actions. The institution claims that some bodies are located in tunnels destroyed by the Israeli army,and others are buried under rubble from bombed buildings. they state that the recovery of these remains requires heavy machinery and equipment, which Israel is currently refusing to allow into Gaza.
Consequently, the return of additional bodies is likely to be delayed, perhaps hindering Netanyahu’s efforts to appease the families of the deceased hostages.