Netanyahu again vows to defeat Hamas, return all captives
Israel’s leaders commemorated Memorial Day on Monday, honoring Israel’s fallen soldiers and those killed in attacks on a holiday that was almost entirely absorbed by the ongoing war in Gaza.
The usually somber calendar event has been compounded by simmering public anger over the failures of Oct. 7, when Hamas fighters from Gaza broke into southern Israel and allegedly killed 1,200 people, the act that sparked the war. The holiday began Sunday evening and continues until nightfall on Monday.
During the day’s opening ceremony at Mount Herzl cemetery on the outskirts of Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed once again to defeat Hamas, a promise he has made repeatedly during Israel’s brutal seven month war with the militant group.
“We are determined to win this struggle, we exacted and will exact a high price from the enemy for their criminal acts, we will realize the goals of victory and at the center of them the return of all our hostages home,” Netanyahu said from the podium.
Israel responded to Hamas’ deadly October assault by bombarding and invading Gaza, killing over 35,000 Palestinians from the enclave according to the Hamas-run health Ministry. More than 600 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the war erupted.
Among the other attendees at Mount Herzl was the Israeli President, Isaac Herzog.
Source: Associated Press
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