Netanyahu: ‘Outraged to depths of my soul,’ murders prove ‘Hamas does not want a deal’

Hamas murders of six captives proves the terror group is not serious about reaching a deal, says Israeli prime minister, pushing back on criticism from within his government.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed back Sunday on criticism from within his own government, declaring that the Hamas terror organization is not serious about achieving a hostage deal with Israel.

In a statement released Sunday morning, Netanyahu responded to the murder of six Israeli captives held in the Gaza Strip over the weekend, saying the killings proved that Hamas is not willing to reach a deal with Israel to end the war and return the remaining hostages.

“This is a difficult day for us,” Netanyahu said. “I was outraged to the depths of my soul by the horrific, cold-blooded murder of six of our hostages: Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master-Sergeant Ori Danino. May God avenge them.”

The Israeli premier vowed that the IDF would “settle accounts” with the terrorists responsible

“I say to the Hamas terrorists who murdered our hostages and I say to their leaders: You will pay the price. We will not rest, nor will be silent. We will pursue you, we will find you and we will settle accounts with you.”

Highlighting a Palestinian terror attack in Judea earlier Sunday morning that left three Israeli police officers dead, Netanyahu said Hamas’ behavior has made it clear the terror group is not interested in reaching a deal with Israel for the release of the remaining hostages.

“The fact that Hamas is continuing to perpetrate atrocities like those it carried out on October 7 requires us to do everything so that it will be unable to perpetrate these atrocities again.”

“Our efforts to free our hostages are continuing constantly. Since December, Hamas has refused to hold genuine negotiations. Three months ago, on May 27, Israel agreed to a hostage release deal with full backing from the U.S. Hamas refused.”

“In recent days, as Israel has been holding intensive negotiations with the mediator in a supreme effort to reach a deal, Hamas is continuing to steadfastly refuse all proposals.”

“Even worse, at the exact same time, it murdered six of our hostages. Whoever murders hostages – does not want a deal. For our part, we will not relent. The Government of Israel is committed, and I am personally committed, to continue striving toward a deal that will return all of our hostages and ensure our security and our existence.”

Netanyahu’s comments came just hours after Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (Likud) publicly chastised the Israeli security cabinet and defied Netanyahu’s insistence on maintaining an IDF presence in key strategic positions inside the Gaza Strip even after the end of the current war.

Gallant demanded that the security cabinet decision rejecting any withdrawal from the Philadelphi Route on the Egypt – Gaza border be rescinded in order to facilitate a deal with Hamas.

“The cabinet must gather immediately and reverse the decision made on Thursday,” Gallant said.

“It is too late for the hostages who were murdered in cold blood. We must bring back the hostages that are still being held by Hamas. The State of Israel will pursue all Hamas leaders and murderers.”

On Thursday, the security cabinet voted to back Netanyahu’s requirement that Israel retain control over the Philadelphi Route, even should a ceasefire deal be reached with Hamas.

According to a report by Yedioth Aharanoth, Gallant excoriated Netanyahu during Thursday’s deliberations, sarcastically telling the Israeli premier he can “make all the decisions and can also decide to kill all the abductees.”

Benjamin NetanyahuHamasIsraeli captives in GazaYoav Gallant