Netanyahu on hostage killings: "Those who murder hostages - don't want a deal"

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu released a statement today (Sunday) condemning the murders of six hostages, whose bodies were extracted yesterday from the Gaza Strip, saying that "we are in a difficult day. The heart of the whole nation is torn."

After naming the dead and expressing his condolences and outrage at the murder, Netanyahu said to the Hamas terrorists who committed the murder and ordered it: "Your blood is on your heads...We will pursue you, we will catch up to you, and we will hold you to account."

He then said that "the fact that Hamas continues to commit atrocities like this, like it did on October 7, obligates us to do everything to ensure that they cannot commit these atrocities again."

Addressing the question of a hostage deal, Netanyahu said that "since the month of December, Hamas refuses to conduct genuine negotiations." He also stated that Hamas rejected the May 27 proposal of the United States and the updated proposal of August 16.

The Prime Minister ended by insisting that Israel was aiming for a deal which would both free the hostages and ensure Israeli security and existence.