Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed back against growing calls for a ceasefire in Gaza on Monday, despite massive protests in Israel and increasing pressure from US President Joe Biden.
The demands come after nearly 11 months of ongoing conflict and the discovery of six more dead hostages.
Protests and public outcry over hostage deaths
In his first public address since the protests, Netanyahu insisted on maintaining Israeli control over the Philadelphi corridor, a narrow strip along Gaza’s border with Egypt.
Israel believes this corridor is used by Hamas to smuggle weapons into Gaza, though Egypt and Hamas deny the claim.
Netanyahu described the corridor as vital to preventing Hamas from rearming, calling it the group’s “oxygen.” He also emphasized his commitment to the hostages, stating, “No one is more committed to freeing the hostages than me…No one will preach to me on this issue.”
Protesters clash with police in Jerusalem, demanding a cease-fire and the release of hostages after six hostages were killed in Gaza. (AP photo)
Netanyahu faced intense criticism from Israelis, who took to the streets on Sunday night in what appeared to be the largest protest since the conflict began.
Many of the demonstrators, grieving and angry over the deaths of the hostages, blamed Netanyahu for not reaching a deal with Hamas that could have saved lives. A rare general strike was held across the country on Monday in response.
Thousands of protesters gathered outside Netanyahu’s private residence in Jerusalem, chanting for a deal and carrying coffins draped in the Israeli flag.
Demonstrators light a bonfire during a protest. (AP photo)
Scuffles broke out as police removed the coffins, leading to several arrests. Additional protests occurred outside Netanyahu’s Likud party headquarters in Tel Aviv.
However, some Israelis continue to support Netanyahu’s stance, believing that continuing the military campaign in Gaza will force Hamas to meet Israeli demands.
Pressure from the US
Meanwhile, Biden expressed frustration with Netanyahu’s efforts, stating that the Israeli leader was not doing enough to resolve the situation. Biden noted that negotiations were close to a deal but stressed the need for a quicker resolution.
Hamas’ new hostage policy
Adding to the tension, Hamas’ armed wing announced on Monday that they had implemented new instructions since June on how to handle hostages if Israeli forces approach.
The statement followed the Israeli military’s recovery of six hostages’ bodies from a tunnel in Gaza, with Hamas claiming the hostages were shot as Israeli forces neared.
Netanyahu vowed to make Hamas pay a heavy price for the killings and rejected accusations from Hamas that Israel was responsible for the hostages’ deaths.
He reiterated his commitment to a military solution, while Hamas insists on a deal that includes a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Despite ongoing efforts, Israel and Hamas are yet to reach a deal that would end the conflict and secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza.
