From the Liveblog of
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Netanyahu slams ‘shocking’ chaos of hostage handover, demands mediators ensure no repeat
Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the chaotic release in Khan Younis of seven hostages, who were pushed and shoved by an angry mob as they were handed over to the Red Cross, is unacceptable.
“I view with great severity the shocking scenes during the release of our hostages,” Netanyahu says in a statement. “This is further proof of the unimaginable cruelty of the Hamas terrorist organization.”
Netanyahu says he “demands the negotiators ensure that such horrific scenes do not occur again, and to guarantee the safety of our hostages.”
The prime minister says that “whoever dares to harm our hostages — will pay.”
Israeli civilians Gadi Mozes and Arbel Yehoud were handed over to the Red Cross amid a screaming mob that appeared to delay their release. Five Thai civilians were also handed over in Khan Younis.
