'We Were Close But...': PM Netanyahu Seeks Forgiveness For Hostages Death

Tel Aviv: Following the killing of six hostages in Hamas captivity in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday (Sept 3) sought forgiveness in a televised address to the nation. "I ask for your forgiveness for not bringing them back alive. We were close but we didn't succeed. Hamas will pay a very heavy price for this," the Prime Minister said.

This comes as Hersh Goldberg-Polin (23), Ori Danino (25), Eden Yerushalmi (24), Almog Sarusi (27), Alexander Lobanov (33) and Carmel Gat (40) were identified as the six hostages killed by Hamas.

While Bibi sought forgiveness from Israel, he also pledged to make Hamas pay for this and refused to budge from his position stalling the ongoing hostage-truce talks.

He further highlighted that Israel must retain control of the key corridor on the Egypt-Gaza border if the deal is to be signed.

Addressing a press conference, while referring to a 14.5-km long stretch along Gaza's border, Netanyahu said, "The achievement of the war's objectives goes through the Philadelphi Corridor... Control of the Philadelphi axis guarantees that the hostages will not be smuggled out of Gaza."

He also claimed that leaving the Philadelphi Corridor would enable the terrorist group Hamas to spirit the hostages to Iran.

Hamas’ Pipeline for Oxygen

Earlier, Israel had four war aims and three of them went through the corridor, the PM said.

"To destroy Hamas, to bring back all of our hostages, to ensure that Gaza will no longer present a threat to Israel, and to return safely the residents of the northern border."

"Three of those war goals go through one place. The Philadelphi Corridor. That is Hamas’ pipeline for oxygen and rearmament," he added.

As the Israeli PM remains in favour of maintaining the Iasraeli troops in the corridor for the first six-week phase of the ceasefire deal,  the security establishment, led by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant opposed the decision saying that this demand could blow up the talks and could leave the hostages on the mercy of Hamas.