Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he wanted forgiveness for failing to rescue six hostages whose bodies were pulled from a tunnel in Gaza at the weekend, AFP reported.
“I ask forgiveness for not bringing them back alive. We were close, but we didn't make it. Hamas will pay a very high price for this," Netanyahu said.
"We were close but we didn't make it. Hamas will pay a very high price for this. The killing of the six hostages did not happen because of the decision on "Philadelphia", but because of Hamas itself," the prime minister said.
"We will make Hamas pay a very high price in the near future." No one is more committed to freeing the hostages than I am. No one can lecture me on this matter," he stressed.
Netanyahu gave details of how the hostages were executed, claiming it was by "a shot in the back of the head".
"These killers executed six of our hostages, shot them in the back of the head," he said, rejecting the idea that Israel should respond with "concessions" in Gaza ceasefire talks.
The Israeli prime minister insisted that Israeli forces must retain control of the "Philadelphia" corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border.
"Achievement of war aims passes through the 'Philadelphia' Corridor." "Controlling the 'Philadelphia' axis ensures that the hostages will not be smuggled out of Gaza," Netanyahu added.
Hamas is demanding a full Israeli withdrawal from the area as part of Gaza ceasefire talks brokered by the US, Qatar and Egypt. | BGNES
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