In Jerusalem, Israeli demonstrators marched past Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private residence carrying six empty coffins, demanding that the government take action to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas militants. Protests and strikes throughout the country are expected to persist on Tuesday.

The coffins, covered with Israeli flags, symbolize the mounting pressure Netanyahu is facing from the public, hostage families, and even some members of his administration to negotiate with Hamas and pursue a ceasefire.

In his first public remarks since the military recovered the bodies of six hostages over the weekend, Netanyahu addressed this rising pressure in a live press conference on Monday night, which has sparked the largest demonstrations since the war began.

“These criminals executed six of our hostages by shooting them in the back of the head,” Netanyahu stated. “And now, after all of this, we’re expected to appear serious? We’re expected to make concessions?”

In recent days, hundreds of thousands of Israelis have participated in protests and general strikes, with President Joe Biden emphasizing that Netanyahu must take further steps to reach an agreement after months of conflict.

One significant point of contention is Israel’s demand to maintain control over the Philadelphi corridor, a narrow strip of land along Gaza’s border with Egypt, where Israeli officials argue that Hamas smuggles weapons. Hamas denies these accusations. Netanyahu argues that withdrawing Israeli soldiers would enable Hamas to rearm and launch further attacks into Israel.

Scuffles erupted outside Netanyahu’s residence on Monday night when police stepped in to clear protesters carrying the coffins.

“No one is more determined than I am to free the hostages,” Netanyahu asserted, but added, “no one will lecture me on this matter.”

Hamas spokesperson: Hostages could return ‘in coffins’

Hamas’ armed wing spokesman, Abu Obaida, claimed that new and concerning orders have been given to militants regarding the treatment of hostages in light of Israeli military attempts to free them. He referenced a previous incident in June where five Israeli hostages were rescued from Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza.

“We want to make it clear that after the Nuseirat incident, instructions were updated for the fighters responsible for guarding the captives on how to handle them in case the Israeli forces come close to their detention locations,” Obaida stated. “Netanyahu’s push for a military solution rather than negotiating will lead to these hostages returning to their families only in coffins, forcing families to decide if their loved ones are alive or dead.”

Hamas shares video of hostage before her death

Hamas released a video showing Eden Yerushalmi, one of the hostages whose body was discovered over the weekend, expressing her love for her family and urging the Israeli government to work towards the release of all remaining captives. Officials report that the six hostages were shot at close range on Thursday or Friday, but the timing of the video recording is unclear.

Yerushalmi, aged 24, was working as a bartender at the Nova music festival near kibbutz Re’im when the attack occurred. Her family has consented to the release of a portion of the video.

“Our Eden, we love you too and we miss you immensely. You will always hold a place in our hearts,” her family stated through the Hostages and Missing Family Forum.

UK halts arms export licenses

Netanyahu has reacted to the UK’s decision to suspend 30 of 350 arms export licenses to Israel, citing concerns that these weapons might be misused in violation of international law, as stated by British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

Netanyahu condemned the decision as “shameful,” asserting that it would only serve to strengthen Hamas.

The UK supplies a minor amount of arms to Israel, representing less than 1% of Israel’s defense imports, with the United States being the largest supplier, providing around 70%.

Hamas still holds hostages and remains

The Hostages Families Forum has announced that more protests are scheduled for Tuesday evening in various regions of Israel, urging the government to negotiate with Hamas. This group was behind the October 7 attacks in Israel that resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 people and the capture of more than 200 hostages. Israel states that 101 hostages are still in Gaza, with many believed to have died.

More than 40,000 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives in Gaza since Israel commenced its military action in response to the Hamas attack on southern Israel, according to sources in the territory run by Hamas.