Netanyahu Calls for International Pressure on Hamas, Not Israel; Makes Rare Apology

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare apology to the families of six Israeli hostages recently executed by Hamas in a press conference on Monday. He stressed the necessity of international pressure on Hamas and emphasized that Israel would retain its military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, a critical buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border, underscoring the strategic importance of the area.

Netanyahu addressed the growing criticism of his government’s handling of the hostage crisis and issued an apology. He conveyed profound regret for the failure to safely return the hostages, stating, “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 of recent events, Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to securing the release of the remaining 101 hostages, highlighting that 23 hostages have already been freed in the initial phase of negotiations. He defended his position against calls to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, describing it as an essential security zone that prevents Hamas from smuggling weapons and potentially moving hostages out of Gaza.

“This is not a tactical matter; it’s a national strategic issue,” Netanyahu commented on the Philadelphia Corridor. “It allows flexibility in negotiations, but we need to be firm here because this is Hamas’s oxygen pipe.”

During a lengthy press conference, Netanyahu emphasized that the international community should focus its pressure on Hamas rather than Israel.

US President Joe Biden commented earlier in the day as he returned to the White House after a two-week vacation, stating that he believed Israel’s prime minister had “not done enough” to reach a deal.

Responding to a comment made by US President Joe Biden, Netanyahu responded firmly, “Well, I want to set the record straight. On April 27th, Secretary of State [Antony] Blinken said that ‘Israel made an extraordinarily generous offer’ for a hostage deal. On May 31st, Israel agreed to a US-backed proposal. Hamas refused. On August 16th, Israel agreed to what the United States defined as a ‘final bridging proposal’. Hamas refused again.”  On August 19th, Secretary Blinken said, ‘Israel accepted the US proposal. Now Hamas must do the same. On August 28th—that’s five days ago—deputy CIA director said that ‘Israel shows seriousness in the negotiations. Now Hamas must show the same seriousness.’ I want to ask you something: What has changed in the last five days? 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. And now after this we’re asked to show seriousness?? We’re asked to make concessions? What message does this send Hamas? It says ‘Kill more hostages. Murder more hostages. You’ll get more concessions!’ The pressure internationally must be directed at these killers; at Hamas. Not at Israel,” Netanyahu emphasized.

He continued, “We consistently agree to proposals while Hamas rejects them and continues their violence. I do not believe that President Biden or anyone genuinely seeking peace would expect Israel to make further concessions under these circumstances. We have already extended significant offers. It is now up to Hamas to make concessions.”

On Monday, workers from public services, tech companies, and other businesses joined hundreds of thousands in a one-day general strike that disrupted traffic at intersections nationwide. The strike aimed to pressure the government into securing a hostage-ceasefire deal in Gaza.

However, an Israeli Labor Court issued an injunction against the general strike announced by the Histadrut labor union.

Israel’s Finance Ministry had filed a petition arguing that the strike was political in nature and, therefore, illegal.

Unable to agree on a termination time for the strike, the judge decreed that it would end at 2:30 p.m. During the hearing, the judge delivered a personal, tear-filled address, expressing deep sympathy for the families of the abductees.

Netanyahu, addressing the strike, emphasized the importance of national unity in the face of Israel’s existential threats, warning that internal divisions only serve to 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, urging the Israeli people to stand together in solidarity.

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