Gaza Hostage Families Condemn Netanyahu’s Congress Speech

Families of hostages held captive in Gaza have condemned Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to the United States Congress, as pressure grows on the Israeli prime minister to agree to a deal to secure their release.
The Hostage and Missing Families Forum in Israel expressed disappointment, noting that Netanyahu failed to mention any deal to secure the hostages’ release, emphasizing that applause in Congress could not overshadow the absence of decisive action.
Netanyahu’s speech was boycotted by several Democracts, including former House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi who described the speech as the worst presentation of any foreign dignitary invited and honored with the privilege of addressing the Congress of the United States.
The speech, which lasted nearly 52 minutes, saw Netanyahu condemning critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza, but however did not address the ongoing ceasefire negotiations, despite mounting international pressure for a resolution.
Following the address, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the recovery of the bodies of five hostages during an operation in Khan Younis, which brings the total number of hostages still in Gaza to 111, with 39 believed to be dead.