Netanyahu Apologizes for Hostage Deaths, Defends Gaza-Egypt Border Hold

Following the Israeli prime minister’s apology, the Hostages Families Forum accused him of neglecting the hostages’ return and praised US President Joe Biden's efforts

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare public apology on Monday to the families of six hostages who were recently executed by Hamas, while firmly stating that Israel would not compromise on maintaining its military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, a critical buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border.

My heart and the heart of the nation is shattered into pieces

Netanyahu’s apology came during a press conference in which he addressed growing criticism of his government’s handling of the hostage crisis. He expressed deep sorrow over the failure to bring the hostages home alive, saying, “My heart and the heart of the nation is shattered into pieces. … I ask for your forgiveness that we did not succeed in bringing them home alive. We were close, but we did not succeed.”

Despite the tragic outcome, Netanyahu emphasized his ongoing commitment to securing the release of the remaining 101 hostages, noting that 23 hostages have already been freed in the first phase of negotiations. He defended his stance against calls to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, describing it as a vital area that prevents Hamas from smuggling weapons and potentially moving hostages out of Gaza.

“What has changed? One thing: These murderers executed six of our hostages. They shot them in the back of the head. That’s what’s changed,” Netanyahu said, stressing that Israel must not be pressured into making concessions that would embolden Hamas.

The first condition for victory in this existential war is unity within us

Netanyahu also highlighted the importance of national unity in the face of Israel’s existential threats, warning that internal divisions only strengthen the country’s enemies, including Iran and its proxies. “The first condition for victory in this existential war is unity within us,” he stated, calling for solidarity among the Israeli people.

Earlier in the day, US President Joe Biden commented on the stalled negotiations, attributing the lack of progress to both Netanyahu and Hamas. President Biden revealed that his administration was close to presenting a final deal to both parties, with ongoing talks involving Qatari and Egyptian negotiators. “We’re very close to that,” Biden said, adding, “We’re still in negotiations—not with him, but with my colleagues from Qatar and from Egypt.”

The Hostages Families Forum responded strongly to Netanyahu’s press conference, accusing him of delivering “a speech full of lies and spins.” The group, which represents the families of the hostages, lamented what they see as the prime minister’s failure to prioritize the return of the hostages. “The people of Israel, most of whom support the return of the hostages, will no longer lend a hand to this criminal negligence,” the forum said in a statement. They praised President Biden’s efforts and urged Netanyahu to show the same determination to secure a deal.

The people of Israel … will no longer lend a hand to this criminal negligence.

The situation has sparked widespread public outcry, with mass demonstrations and a national strike taking place since the IDF recovered the bodies of six hostages in southern Gaza over the weekend. The bodies of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Ori Danino, 25; Alex Lobanov, 32; Carmel Gat, 40; and Almog Sarusi, 27, were found in a tunnel in Rafah shortly after they were executed.

The crisis deepened when Hamas released a propaganda video featuring Yerushalmi. The video, which was condemned by Israel as an example of psychological warfare, was partly released by Yerushalmi’s family with their approval. “Our Eden, we love you too and we miss you like crazy. You are forever in our hearts,” the family said in a statement.

Netanyahu’s firm stance on the Philadelphi Corridor has garnered support from far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, who praised the prime minister for his refusal to abandon the corridor. Smotrich expressed his support for Netanyahu’s “clear messages” to the Israeli public and the world, while Ben Gvir argued that Israel must not agree to a “reckless” deal that would compromise its security. “Now is the time to increase the military pressure on Hamas, to exact a very heavy price from it for the murder of our hostages,” Ben Gvir said, calling for the complete defeat of the terrorist organization.