Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said that the killing of three hostages in Gaza in a case of mistaken identity was heart-breaking, but military pressure is necessary to bring the other captives home.
“It broke my heart. It broke the whole nation’s heart,” Netanyahu said.
While adding, “With all the deep sorrow, I want to clarify the military pressure is necessary both for the return of the kidnapped and for achieving victory over our enemies.”
The news of their killing has sparked protests, with the relatives of the remaining hostages expressing concern their loved ones could be next and urging Netanyahu to return to the negotiating table.
According to AFP in the late hours of Saturday, calls for Netanyahu’s government to revive stalled talks with Hamas towards a hostage exchange deal have redoubled since the army admitted the three hostages were mistakenly shot to death by soldiers, even as they carried a white flag and cried for help in Hebrew.