As dawn broke over Israel, a grim discovery in Gaza's labyrinthine tunnels shattered any hope for a peaceful start to the new month. Six Israeli hostages, their fates long uncertain, were found dead just meters from where IDF forces had been operating. The news, delivered by IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari in the early hours, sent ripples of anguish and anger across the nation.
"It's a morning of unbearable difficulty," writes Yishai Almakias, a prominent Israeli journalist. "The bitter news has emphasized several things we must say aloud."
Chief among Almakias's concerns is the conspicuous absence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from the public eye. "By virtue of his position, Netanyahu receives security reports first," Almakias notes. "Yet, while the IDF spokesperson addressed cameras shortly after 7 AM, the Prime Minister issued no statement, not even a pre-recorded video."
This leadership vacuum, occurring at such a critical juncture, has not gone unnoticed. Almakias explained that "The vacuum that the Prime Minister creates vis-à-vis the public brings unimaginable damage to the hostages' families and the questions arising among the people."
As the day progresses, the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem began to fill with murmurs of discontent. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum called for nationwide protests, their pain palpable in every word. However, Almakias cautions against misdirecting blame: "Contrary to the bizarre statements issued by the Hostages Return Headquarters, it wasn't Netanyahu who abandoned the hostages in captivity, but the Hamas terrorist organization."
The tragedy has reignited fierce debate over Israel's strategy in dealing with Hamas. Some argue for increased flexibility in negotiations, while others, including Almakias, warn of the dangers of concession. "The moment Hamas identifies that Israel itself is beginning to show flexibility, it will demand more and more clauses, and of course there is no guarantee for the condition of the hostages who remain in captivity," he argues.
Almakias also takes aim at those who claim the military pressure on Hamas is no longer effective. He calls such assertions "folly" for two reasons: "The first and obvious one is that if Israel goes for a deal, Hamas will understand that it is precisely the murder of hostages that causes Israel to give up its positions," he writes. "The second reason is that giving up military pressure now and choosing a deal means the IDF's exit from the area."
Israelis now find themselves at a crossroads, grappling with grief, anger, and uncertainty. The path forward remains unclear, clouded by the complex realities of conflict and the weight of lives hanging in the balance.
The nation waits, hopes, and mourns – all while demanding answers from a leadership that seems, at least for the moment, to be struggling to find its voice. As Almakias poignantly concludes, quoting Jabotinsky, "This silence, deep into this bleeding morning, is mud."
* Makor Rishon contributed to this article.