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Netanyahu visits Israeli kibbutzs ravaged by Hamas on his first visit

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister, visited the Nir Oz Kibbutz in Israel near the Gaza Strip for the first since Hamas militants crossed the border nearly 21 months ago and killed or abducted nearly one out of four residents.

Netanyahu and his wife Sara faced criticism over the government's inability to prevent the attack and massive protests calling for the return of the hostages still being held in Gaza. They were met by loud protests, hugs and deep concern.

"I am deeply committed to ensuring the safe return of all our hostages. Netanyahu said that there were still 20 hostages alive, as well as those who had died. We will bring them back all.

He promised to rebuild the kibbutz after he toured its devastation.

Netanyahu will meet Donald Trump on Monday at the White House. They will discuss a U.S. backed proposal for a ceasefire of 60 days in the Gaza War between Israel and Hamas, which would include the release of hostages.

The raid by militant Palestinian gunmen on Israel on October 7, 2023 was the deadliest Jewish attack since the Holocaust of World War Two. The gunmen crossed over the Gaza border and attacked Nir Oz as well as other targets. Hamas fighters took 251 hostages and killed 1,200 people in Gaza that day, according to Israeli statistics.

Einav Zangauker's son Matan, who was held hostage in Gaza and believed to still be alive, had accused Netanyahu previously of choosing his political survival above ending the war. She hugged him on Thursday.

She wrote on X later that she and X had discussed her concern about her son's worsening dystrophy.

"I told him that the people of Israel have given him a mandate to come to a comprehensive agreement on the return of the 50 hostages - both the living and dead. "Now is the time to act," she wrote.

Gaza's health ministry reports that Israel's military offensive has killed over 57,000 Palestinians since its inception. It also says the assault has displaced more than 2,000,000 people from the area, caused widespread hunger, and left much of it in ruin. (Writing and editing by David Gregorio; Howard Goller)

(source: Reuters)