Benjamin Netanyahu begs Israel for ‘forgiveness’ over hostage deaths in major televised address

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a plea for forgiveness following the deaths of six hostages in Gaza.

In an address to the nation, Netanyahu admitted his government’s failure to bring the hostages home safely but said the nation “must stand united as one”.

He continued to add that Israel faces a “brutal and vicious enemy” that wants to “eradicate and kill all of us”.

Speaking live from Tel Aviv, Netanyahu expressed his condolences to the families.

“We failed you, we all failed you,” he said.

Asking for “forgiveness”, he continued: “We were close, but we didn’t achieve it [a deal].”

His comments came as a huge protest over the hostage deaths took place across the country, with an estimated 500,000 people taking to the streets.

The demonstrations, thought to be the largest Netanyahu has faced since the war in Gaza began nearly 11 months ago, saw 300,000 gather in Tel Aviv alone.

In the wake of the deaths, Joe Biden criticised Netanyahu’s efforts to secure a hostage deal.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House, the US President said the Israeli Prime Minister was “not doing enough” to reach an agreement.

When asked if mediators were prepared to present a final hostage deal this week, Biden replied: “We are very close to that.”

He added: “Hope springs eternal.”

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Among the six bodies recovered from an underground tunnel in southern Gaza, was American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

The Israeli Health Ministry reported that post-mortem examinations determined the hostages had been shot at close range, dying on Thursday or Friday.

Addressing the death of the American citizen, Biden expressed his devastation, saying: “I am heartbroken by the news of his death.

“It is as tragic as it is reprehensible.”

Approximately 101 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza, with 66 presumed to be alive.

In an emotional eulogy held in Jerusalem, Hersh’s mother Rachel said: “Finally, finally, finally you are free!”

Later in his speech, Netanyahu insisted Hamas would pay a “heavy price” for the hostages’ deaths. He accused the militant group of killing the captives in “cold blood” and vowed to hold them accountable.

Although Biden has indicated that a final ceasefire and hostage deal is “very close”, Netanyahu has remained firm on certain conditions, particularly maintaining Israeli control over the Philadelphi Corridor, a critical buffer zone between Egypt and Gaza.

When asked whether he feels “personally responsible” for the deaths, Netanyahu said: “I feel profound sorrow, I truly regret the fact that we didn’t bring them [back]. We were so close.”

However, the Israeli Prime Minister denied the deaths were caused by Israel’s insistence on keeping control over the strategic corridor.

“It happened because Hamas doesn’t want a deal,” he added.

Continuing to speak about the hostage deal, Netanyahu said he works “24/7” and sleeps for only a few hours a night in his attempts to secure a deal.

“I am looking for every way, every possibility in order to bring them back home,” he said.

“I’m fighting over this with everything I can.”

“I’m not going to criticise the bereaved families who think otherwise because I’ve been there like a bear.”