Gallant calls on security cabinet to reverse Philadelphi Corridor decision
Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has called on the security cabinet to reverse its decision to maintain Israeli military presence along Gaza’s Philadelphi Corridor, a position he believes is obstructing a ceasefire deal.
Gallant, who on Thursday cast the security cabinet’s sole vote against the military’s plan for the corridor, said in a post on X that Israel must prioritise the return of the remaining captives.
However, addressing the discovery of six dead Israeli captives in Gaza, he also pledged that Israel “will hold every leader and murderer of Hamas accountable, down to the last one”.
Hamas blames Israel for death of 6 captives
Senior Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq says the six Israeli captives found dead in a tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday were killed in Israeli air strikes.
Al-Risheq also blamed the United States for its “bias, support and partnership” in the 11-month war on the besieged territory. One of the captives was a dual US-Israeli citizen, while another was Russian-Israeli.
The official stated that Hamas cares more about the lives of its prisoners than Biden does, emphasising that the group had accepted his proposal and the UN Security Council resolution.
Netanyahu rejected the proposal and the resolution and his administration conceded to the PM’s demands, which were intended to obstruct reaching an agreement to maintain his power, al-Risheq said.
Netanyahu vows to ‘pursue’ Hamas leaders after death of 6 captives
Netanyahu says Israel would continue to “pursue” Hamas leaders responsible for the killing of six Israeli captives whose bodies were recovered in a tunnel in southern Gaza on Saturday.
“We will get you and we will bring you to account,” Netanyahu said in a statement, adding that Israel remains committed to achieving a deal to release remaining captives. “Whoever murders hostages – does not want a deal.”
However, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said Netanyahu should take responsibility for the deaths.
“Take responsibility for your mistakes. Take responsibility for the sabotage. Take responsibility for the abandonment,” the group of families and supporters of captives held by Hamas said in response to the statement.
On Sunday, a senior Hamas official said the six captives were killed as a result of ongoing Israeli air strikes. Earlier this year, seven captives died as a result of Israel’s bombardment of the besieged enclave, the Palestinian group said.
