Hostages Released After Two Years in Captivity
Contrary to expectations, only four bodies out of 28 of the deceased hostages are set to be released from Gaza, a significant departure from earlier commitments. A group representing the families of the hostages has expressed their disappointment and is calling for immediate action.
"It was a shock to discover that only four bodies will be returned, instead of the total 28 that were held," said a spokesperson for the group. They have accused the captors of not honoring the agreement and believe that immediate action must be taken to correct this severe wrong.
They are urging the government and the negotiators to take a stand. "It's crucial that the terms of the agreement are enforced and the captors face consequences for this breach," the spokesperson said.
Call for Peace in the Middle East
The President recently addressed the Israeli parliament, presenting a vision of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East. He emphasized that the time had come to move on from the victories won by force and start working towards a peaceful future.
"People are celebrating not just in Israel," the President said. "The difficult war has now concluded, though we are only in the initial phase of a ceasefire agreement."
His speech was well-received, prompting frequent applause and standing ovations. Despite a brief interruption by two parliament members who held up signs during the speech, the overall response was positive.
Following his address in Israel, the President is set to co-chair an international peace summit in Egypt along with the Egyptian President.
An Interruption Amidst the Applause
During the President's speech, two parliament members, one an Arab-Israeli and the other a Jewish Israeli, caused a brief interruption. They were subsequently removed from the chamber. The signs they held up reportedly contained messages such as "Recognize Palestine" and "genocide."
However, these interruptions did not overshadow the President's message. His speech was met with multiple standing ovations and applause. He declared, "This is not just the end of a war, but the end of an age of terror and death."
"We are witnessing the dawn of a new Middle East... This moment will be remembered in future generations as the point when everything began to change," he added.
Notable Attendees
The President's daughter and son-in-law, who was involved in the negotiations, were among the notable attendees during his speech. Also present were the special envoy to the Middle East and the U.S. Ambassador to Israel. Many members of the audience showed their support by wearing hats that read "The Peace President."