Netanyahu vows retribution amid ceasefire demands

Hundreds of thousands of protesters filled the streets of Israel for a second consecutive day, with the country nearly coming to a standstill due to a general strike on Monday. The strike was organised to demand a ceasefire-for-hostages deal, as the largest labor union warned that the “entire Israeli economy will shut down.”

According to CNN, the demonstrations followed the recovery of six hostages’ bodies by Israeli forces in Gaza over the weekend. Protesters accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of inadequate efforts to protect the hostages and are intensifying pressure on him to negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas.

Netanyahu has apologised to the families of the six hostages whose bodies were recovered over the weekend. Speaking at a press conference on Monday night, he stated:

“I have conveyed my apologies to the families, and I reiterate tonight: I am deeply sorry that we couldn’t bring them back alive. We were very close, but it wasn’t possible.”

Netanyahu also vowed retribution against Hamas, asserting, “Israel will not overlook this massacre. Hamas will face severe consequences—a very heavy price.”