We were close, but we did not succeed, Netanyahu said.
As the Israel-Hamas conflict continues, the latest cease-fire negotiations seem to have stalled.
Meanwhile, protests have erupted in Israel following the discovery of six dead hostages in Gaza. Demonstrators are demanding the government take action to bring the remaining hostages home.
Recent headlines:
- 1:12 AM +06: Netanyahu apologizes to hostage families, says their anger should be directed at Hamas.
- 1:02 AM +06: Biden: 'We're in the midst of negotiations' over a hostage and cease-fire agreement.
- 12:30 AM +06: Protesters breach barriers near Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's residence.
- 10:26 PM +06: 29 Palestinians killed in the West Bank since the start of the IDF operation.
Here's the latest on the situation as it unfolds.
Netanyahu urges hostage families to forgive him and directs them to focus their pressure on Hamas instead.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked for forgiveness from the families of the six hostages whose bodies were recovered over the weekend.
"I ask you to forgive us for not being able to bring your loved ones back alive. We were close, but we did not succeed," Netanyahu said during a news conference on Monday.
Netanyahu reiterated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) must maintain a presence on the Egyptian border, but emphasized that this does not require a "large" deployment of troops. Instead, he suggested that the IDF should position units strategically in key areas along the border. He also stressed the importance of maintaining a presence in the Philadelphi corridor to achieve the objectives of the war.
When asked to define "total victory" in the conflict, Netanyahu stated, "When Hamas no longer rules Gaza—we throw them out. I would define the end of World War II as when the Nazis no longer ruled Germany. To achieve that, you need both a military victory and a political victory to dismantle their governance."
Netanyahu stated that international "pressure" should be focused on Hamas, not Israel.
"These murderers executed six of our hostages by shooting them in the back of the head. And now, after this, we're being asked to show restraint and make concessions? What kind of message does this send to Hamas?" he said.
Netanyahu stated, "I don't believe President [Joe] Biden or anyone who is serious about achieving peace and securing the release [of hostages] can genuinely expect Israel to make further concessions. We've already made our concessions. Now, it's Hamas that must compromise."
Meanwhile, a Hamas military spokesperson issued a new statement asserting that the Israeli hostages would not be released through force.
The spokesperson warned, "Netanyahu's insistence on using military pressure rather than negotiating a deal will result in the hostages being returned to their families in coffins. Their families will have to choose between them coming back dead or alive."
Biden: "We are currently negotiating a deal involving hostages and a ceasefire."
President Joe Biden told reporters that "we’re still negotiating" when asked if a final deal on hostages and a cease-fire might be proposed this week.
When asked what he wants Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to do, Biden responded, "We’re in the middle of negotiations."
He added, "We’re still in negotiations. Not with him [Netanyahu], with my colleagues from Qatar and from Egypt."
Earlier on Monday, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met with the U.S. hostage negotiation team in the Situation Room.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan had a phone call on Monday morning with Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, according to a U.S. official. They discussed efforts to finalize a deal for the release of hostages and a cease-fire in Gaza, the official said.
Protesters breach barriers near the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
On Monday, protesters breached barriers near Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem, calling for significant advances in negotiations to secure the return of hostages held in Gaza.
On Monday, Israel saw the continuation of significant protests for a second day, following the recovery of six murdered hostages from Gaza over the weekend.