JERUSALEM, 03 Sept. - (ANA) - Benjamin Netanyahu defended his contentious plans for a continued Israeli occupation of a land strip in Gaza and ignored calls for a cease-fire, according to the NEW York Times.

 

In his first news conference since the recovery of the six slain hostages, the Israeli prime minister doubled down on his refusal to agree to a truce that would involve Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza or lead to a permanent halt to the fighting.

 

Families of American hostages being held in Gaza participated in a vigil at Manhattan’s Columbus Circle on Sunday.Credit...Adam Gray for The New York Times

The families of several American hostages criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Monday as not moving urgently enough to secure a hostage release deal, after six hostages were found dead in southern Gaza over the weekend.

 

“It has to happen right now,” said Adi Alexander, whose 20-year-old son Edan has been held captive for nearly 11 months. “Full stop. Period. Cease-fire and execution of the deal. More military pressure brings more dead hostages.”

 

AB/ANA/03 September 2024 - - -