Netanyahu: Hamas shot hostages in ‘back of the head’
JERUSALEM—Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Hamas militants “executed” six hostages whose bodies were recovered from Gaza, shooting them “in the back of the head.”
Netanyahu made the disclosure as Hamas’ armed wing announced that they had been given new instructions on how to handle hostages should Israeli forces approach their locations in Gaza.
Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades, did not provide details on what the instructions were. He said his group holds Israel responsible for the hostages’ deaths.
The new instructions, Ubaida said, were given to guards of hostages after a rescue operation by Israel in June. At that time, Israeli forces freed four hostages in a raid in which dozens of Palestinians, including women and children, were killed.
“Netanyahu’s insistence to free prisoners through military pressure, instead of sealing a deal, means they will be returned to their families in shrouds. Their families must choose whether they want them dead or alive,” he said.
‘No concessions’
In a press conference, Netanyahu declared, “These murderers executed six of our hostages, they shot them in the back of the head,” rejecting the notion that Israel should respond with “concessions” in Gaza ceasefire talks.
The killing of the six hostages, announced by Israeli officials on Sunday, has spurred an outpouring of grief in Israel as well as anger at the government for not sealing a deal that would have secured the hostages’ release.
Israel’s health ministry said on Sunday that the six hostages were shot at close range shortly before their bodies were recovered from the Gaza Strip.
As thousands of protesters gathered in Tel Aviv on Monday for a second consecutive day of demonstrations criticizing the government, Netanyahu sought forgiveness for not being able to save them but also appealed for unity.
Global pressure
He called on the international community to apply more pressure on Hamas to end the war triggered by the militants’ unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel.
“We say yes, they say no all the time, but they also murdered these people and now we need maximum pressure on Hamas,” he said.
“Hamas has to make the concessions.”
Netanyahu also insisted on Monday that Israeli forces must retain control over the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border, which has emerged as a primary sticking point in talks mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar.
Hamas is demanding a complete Israeli withdrawal from the area as part of the stalled talks.
“The achievement of the war’s objectives goes through the Philadelphi Corridor,” Netanyahu said.
“Control of the Philadelphi axis guarantees that the hostages will not be smuggled out of Gaza,” he added.
“I will not give in to pressure.”
Of 251 people taken hostage during the October 7 attack, 97 remain in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead.
