Netanyahu asks forgiveness from families for failing to bring murdered hostages home alive

By Lazar Berman

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2 September 2024, 8:53 pm

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Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

This combination of six undated photos shows hostages, from top left, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi; from bottom left, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Carmel Gat. (The Hostages Families Forum via AP)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recounts speaking to the families of some of the six hostages who were murdered by Hamas in Gaza last week and asking for their forgiveness.

“I told the families, and I repeat it here tonight — I ask for your forgiveness that we did not succeed in bringing them back alive.”

“We were close, but we didn’t succeed,” he says, during a press conference in Jerusalem.

“Israel will not let this massacre simply pass on by,” Netanyahu says, jabbing his finger on the lectern. “Hamas will pay a very heavy price for it.”