Netanyahu Vows Continued Action,โ Hostage Families Demand Stronger Response
During a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed israel’s commitment toโ confronting it’s adversaries, specifically citing Hamas and Iran’s “Axis of Resistance.”โ He stated that attempts to “strangle” Israelโข following the Hamas massacre had been unsuccessful,and declared โคIsrael’s determination to achieveโฃ complete โฃvictory and itsโข 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 hostagesโ already promised under a ceasefire agreement, and reiterated โคhis commitment to securing the โreleaseโ of those still alive, stating, “We will spare no effort orโ resources to bring โฃthem 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 hostagesโข stipulated in the ceasefire agreement. Israel has warned Hamas that a resumption of fighting in Gaza โwill occur if the agreement is โnotโ fully honored. โฃ
This lack โof 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 โfulfills its obligations regarding theโฃ return โof all hostages and remains.
Hamas, however, maintains its commitment toโ the agreement, attributing the delays to Israel’s military actions. โThe institution claims โthat some bodies are located in tunnels destroyed by the โIsraeli army,and others are buried under rubble from bombedโค buildings. they stateโข that the recoveryโ of these remains requires heavy machinery and equipment,โฃ which Israel is currently refusing โto allowโ into Gaza.
Consequently, the return of โคadditional bodies is โlikely to be delayed, perhaps hinderingโ Netanyahu’sโฃ efforts to appease theโค families of theโข deceased hostages.
