'Shame on you': Netanyahu heckled by families of Israeli captives
3 Min Read
Fearing criticism, the event where Benjamin Netanyahu spoke did not include speeches by families of Israeli captives.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pauses as he is interrupted by hecklers at a ceremony on October 27, 2024. (Screengrab)
While giving an address in occupied al-Quds on Sunday, Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was stopped by the relatives of captives still held in Gaza.
Netanyahu stood immobile at a platform during the event on Sunday, while audience members yelled and interrupted him for more than a minute.
Some protesters screamed "Shame on you" and caused a scene, prompting Netanyahu to end his address shortly after it started.
נאלץ להפסיק את הנאום: משפחות שכולות צעקו לעבר נתניהו בטקס לזכר הנרצחים בטבח@diklaaharon pic.twitter.com/8L3uJmtuZw
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) October 27, 2024
According to Israeli media accounts, the event was initially planned without comments from family members of captives for fear of criticizing Netanyahu and his cabinet members.
Public and international pressure has mounted on the Netanyahu administration to do more to reach an agreement for the release of captives still in Gaza and end the aggression on Gaza, which many human rights organizations have warned is having catastrophic effects on the Palestinian population.
Read more: West should restrain Netanyahu's 'spiralling offensive': FT
Meanwhile, Netanyahu emphasized that "Israel" is engaged in a "difficult existential war," bearing painful costs along the way.
Netanyahu’s statement followed a ramming Resistance operation near the Israeli occupation's Glilot base, north of Tel Aviv.
A ramming operation at Glilot Junction near Tel Aviv left at least six dead and dozens injured, including soldiers. The incident occurred near the Glilot military base, home to Israeli intelligence units such as the Mossad and Unit 8200. pic.twitter.com/l36DlZXYnh
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 27, 2024
"We await the final investigation into the Glilot incident," he added.
Meanwhile, Israeli occupation Security Minister Yoav Gallant suggested that retrieving Israeli captives from Gaza "will require painful concessions from our part," noting that "not every objective is achieved through military action, and force is not a substitute for everything."
Netanyahu and Gallant's statements were preceded by remarks from Israeli military officials, who indicated that it may be time for the Israeli government to express readiness to halt the war on Gaza in exchange for the return of the captives.
Resistance maintains ceasefire conditions, warns of 'deceptive calm'
Earlier, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Jamil Mezher, addressing US efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, told Al Mayadeen, "The US administration's efforts are focused on achieving a deceptive calm that serves its electoral interests."
Consequently, Mezher stressed that the PFLP "categorically rejects any attempt to conclude a temporary truce based on Zionist and American conditions aimed at cooling off the situation in conjunction with the elections."
However, Mezher clarified, "We deal very positively with any ideas that lead to the complete cessation of aggression and a full withdrawal of the occupation forces."
Also in a statement to Al Mayadeen, senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi articulated the group’s stance on the ongoing negotiations, emphasizing that the Resistance's demands for a ceasefire, withdrawal from Gaza, and humanitarian relief must be acknowledged before discussing the issue of captives.
Mardawi stated, in response to the "two-day ceasefire" proposal made by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, "We demand a comprehensive and clear deal, and we will not accept the fragmentation of the basic document."
He further expressed the group's anticipation of the results from the Doha meeting, indicating that Hamas is awaiting concrete outputs from these discussions. Mardawi concluded by asserting, "If the enemy does not announce its approval of the proposal, we will not approve of it in advance."
