'Now is really now': hostage relatives demand ceasefire deal as bodies recovered from Gaza


Holly Johnston
  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza

Public anger at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has soared after the bodies of six hostages were recovered from Gaza overnight, renewing calls for an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal.

US-Israeli citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the most well-known hostages, was among those confirmed dead only days after his parents were protesting at the Gaza border fence for his release.

Israel said the hostages, five of whom were taken captive at the Nova music festival, were shot in the head shortly before they were found.

The Hostages and Families' Forum on Sunday called on the public to "join a massive demonstration, demanding a complete halt of the country and the immediate implementation of a deal" with Hamas.

The main rallies took place in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where families demonstrated as the government held its weekly cabinet meeting, while others rallied in central Israel and blocked main highways to Tel Aviv.

Daniel Lifshitz, the grandson of Oded Lifshitz, now 84, barely slept on Saturday as he awaited the identification of the hostages, fearing it could be his grandfather or one of the many hostages he knows from kibbutz Nir Oz.

"Seal the deal. That is what we ask for, that is our demand and that’s also the demand of all those who are not with us anymore," he told reporters in an online media briefing from the Hostages Forum headquarters in Tel Aviv.

Thirty-six hostages have been killed in captivity, according to updated figures provided to The National by the forum. A total of 101 people are held hostage.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid and the public have called for a general strike, currently being discussed by the Histadrut national trade union, while some businesses have already shut down.

Oded Lifshitz, 84, and his wife Yocheved, 85, were taken hostage from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. Photo: supplied
Oded Lifshitz, 84, and his wife Yocheved, 85, were taken hostage from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. Photo: supplied

The mayor of the central city of Giv'atayim has already announced a strike, calling on other municipalities to join.

"The idea that military pressure will return the hostages alive has collapsed. There is no room for further explanations," Mayor Ran Kunik was quoted by local press as saying.

"More and more hostages are dying and being murdered in captivity. We have to try, whatever we can do, to bring them home. We’ll do everything we can to put pressure in Israel, and international pressure on Hamas and the US," said Mr Lifshitz.

His grandmother, Yocheved, was released as part of a temporary ceasefire in November and physically recovered after six months - but has not mentally recovered as the war drags on, and has personally met with Mr Netanyahu to appeal for a deal.

"Mentally she’s very, very sad this week. Last week we buried four old men who survived there for so long. Today we have two more funerals..she’s very devastated. Everyone that’s dying is breaking her heart completely. She just wants them to come back," he told The National.

Mr Netanyahu spoke with families of the killed hostages on Sunday, apologising for "the state's failure to bring them back alive," according to a readout from his office.

The PM "expressed deep sorrow and apologised to his family for the fact that the State of Israel failed to return the late Alexander and the other five abductees alive," he told the parents of Alexander Lobanov.

"I want to tell you how sorry I am and ask for forgiveness for not being able to bring Sasha back alive," he was quoted as telling Oksana and Gregory Lobanov.

One sticking point for a deal is Israel's insistence on remaining in Gaza's Salah Al Din border strip with Egypt, also known as the Philadelphi Corridor.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has called on the cabinet to reverse a Thursday vote to remain in the strip - also supported by Mr Lifshitz, who said any agreement must also require pressure on US, Hamas, and Qatar.

"Now is really now...they have to make sure the decision is accepted by the Egyptians to start the deal. Even if a deal is accepted, it will be a long time before we’ll see everyone back and we've seen their conditions. They're in very big danger. They aren’t getting oxygen."

'Mr Death'

The army announcement of the six deaths came hours after Israelis protested outside the Defence Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, demanding a deal and accusing the government of "torpedoing" negotiations for its own political gain.

The Prime Minister and his cabinet "are knowingly condemning the hostages to death", relatives said in a statement outside the Kirya.

"Netanyahu is not Mr Security, he is Mr Death. He is undermining the deal in cold blood," Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is still held hostage, was quoted by Israeli media as saying.

Three of the six hostages were expected to be released in the first round of a ceasefire, according to reports in Israel.

Mr Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi and Carmel Gat "appeared in the lists given over at the beginning of July. It was possible to bring them back alive", a source told newspaper Haaretz on Sunday.

Moshe Emilio Lavi, whose brother-in-law Omri was taken hostage, said he holds both Hamas and Mr Netanyahu responsible.

"I blame Hamas and their accomplices for kidnapping and murdering our people, communities, families and loved ones. I blame PM Netanyahu and his accomplices for normalising the kidnapping and murdering of Israeli hostages, for 330 days, by Hamas," he wrote on X.

"We failed so many of them."

US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken released statements after the army's announcement on Sunday, hitting out at Hamas.

"Make no mistake, Hamas will pay for these crimes," Mr Biden said, adding the US "will keep working around the clock" for a hostage deal.

Mr Blinken, who toured the region last month in his ninth visit since the war began, described Mr Goldberg-Polin as "an American hero who will be remembered for his kindness and selflessness".

"The killing of these hostages only further confirms Hamas’s depravity. It should release all the hostages immediately," he said. "We will continue to work with our partners in the region to secure an agreement without delay that frees the remaining hostages."

Mr Netanyahu, already deeply unpopular with many Israelis, appears increasingly at odds with his own security apparatus over his commitment to the war in Gaza.

Security officials have repeatedly urged him to accept a deal, according to Israeli media reports, with the negotiating team keen to secure an agreement and the government adamant on prolonging the war.

"We warned of exactly this scenario," a senior member of the Israeli negotiating team told Axios on Sunday. "We told Netanyahu and the cabinet ministers that the hostages have no time and that their lives are in danger. But everything we said fell on deaf ears."

The biog

Name: Mariam Ketait

Emirate: Dubai

Hobbies: I enjoy travelling, experiencing new things, painting, reading, flying, and the French language

Favourite quote: "Be the change you wish to see" - unknown

Favourite activity: Connecting with different cultures

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes

Cheat’s nigiri 
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.

Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.

Deconstructed sushi salad platter 
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
 
  • Grade 9 = above an A*
  • Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
  • Grade 7 = grade A
  • Grade 6 = just above a grade B
  • Grade 5 = between grades B and C
  • Grade 4 = grade C
  • Grade 3 = between grades D and E
  • Grade 2 = between grades E and F
  • Grade 1 = between grades F and G

Everything Now

Arcade Fire

(Columbia Records)

The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Power: 190bhp

Torque: 300Nm

Price: Dh169,900

On sale: now 

Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E660hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C100Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E488km-560km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh850%2C000%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOctober%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
BRAZIL%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EGoalkeepers%3A%20Alisson%2C%20Ederson%2C%20Weverton%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EDefenders%3A%20Dani%20Alves%2C%20Marquinhos%2C%20Thiago%20Silva%2C%20Eder%20Militao%20%2C%20Danilo%2C%20Alex%20Sandro%2C%20Alex%20Telles%2C%20Bremer.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EMidfielders%3A%20Casemiro%2C%20Fred%2C%20Fabinho%2C%20Bruno%20Guimaraes%2C%20Lucas%20Paqueta%2C%20Everton%20Ribeiro.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EForwards%3A%20Neymar%2C%20Vinicius%20Junior%2C%20Richarlison%2C%20Raphinha%2C%20Antony%2C%20Gabriel%20Jesus%2C%20Gabriel%20Martinelli%2C%20Pedro%2C%20Rodrygo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Cry Macho

Director: Clint Eastwood

Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam

Rating:**

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Bedu%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Khaled%20Al%20Huraimel%2C%20Matti%20Zinder%2C%20Amin%20Al%20Zarouni%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AI%2C%20metaverse%2C%20Web3%20and%20blockchain%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Currently%20in%20pre-seed%20round%20to%20raise%20%245%20million%20to%20%247%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Privately%20funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Updated: September 01, 2024, 4:51 PM`