Families of hostages held captive in Gaza have expressed disappointment over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent speech to the United States Congress. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum in Israel criticized Netanyahu for not mentioning the need for a deal to secure the release of the hostages. The forum, which has been advocating for the return of around 250 people abducted by Hamas, emphasized the absence of a call for action in the prime minister's address.
During the speech, Netanyahu focused on defending Israel's actions in Gaza but did not address the ongoing ceasefire negotiations. This has raised concerns among families of the hostages, who were hoping for a breakthrough in the efforts to bring their loved ones home.
Despite the criticism, members of Netanyahu's government praised his speech. Foreign Minister Israel Katz described it as 'moving and important,' highlighting the strong alliance between the US and Israel. However, the speech was not well-received by all lawmakers, with about 80 House Democrats choosing to skip the event.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the retrieval of the bodies of five hostages from Gaza. The operation in the Khan Younis area led to the recovery of the bodies, bringing some closure to the families of the deceased hostages.
As tensions remain high in the region, Israel has intensified its offensive in Khan Younis, leading to a mass exodus of residents seeking safety. The situation has put a strain on essential supplies and shelter options for those affected by the conflict.
The absence of key figures like Vice President Kamala Harris and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the speech underscored the political divide over Netanyahu's approach to the crisis. Pelosi criticized the speech as lacking focus on securing a ceasefire deal to bring the hostages home.
Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib's protest during the speech, where she held up a sign accusing Netanyahu of war crimes, also drew mixed reactions from fellow lawmakers. The incident highlighted the deep-rooted disagreements over the handling of the Gaza conflict and the urgency of finding a resolution.
