We Will Bring Back All Hostages From Gaza, Netanyahu Vows

Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his vow to bring back all hostages still held in Gaza as the country makes first anniversary of the Hamas-led 7 October attacks on southern Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed.

In a statement released by his office, on Monday, Netanyahu said Israel’s obligation is to bring back her citizens, who have been held hostage by Hamas.

Netanyahu said “On this day, in this place, and in many places across our country, we remember our dead, our hostages, whom we are obligated to bring back and our heroes who fell in defence of the homeland and the nation. We went through a terrible massacre a year ago.

Out of 251 people taken hostage on October 7 2023, an estimated 97 are still being held inside the Gaza Strip, including 34 who the Israeli military says are dead.

Netanyahu has been accused of blocking a ceasefire deal over his insistence on continued Israeli control of the Philadelphia corridor, which separates Gaza from Egypt, and central Gaza’s Netzarim corridor, a strategic route bisecting Gaza.

Hamas has demanded a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and Egypt has said that a heavy Israeli military presence on its border threatens the peace treaty between the countries.

Israelis are expected to hold vigils and ceremonies in ceremonies and memorial sites around the country to remember the hundreds killed, the wounded and dozens still held captive by Hamas.