Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu incorrectly stated the number of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza during an interview, claiming there were 46 when the correct figure is 48. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum publicly corrected Mr Netanyahu, demanding an explanation and emphasising that all 48 hostages were taken “on your watch”. The error occurred on the eve of the second anniversary of Hamas's cross-border attack into Israel, which saw 251 people taken captive. Mr Netanyahu has faced similar criticism previously for misstating hostage numbers, including in August when he referred to “all 20 of our hostages” while 50 were still held. His government faces increasing domestic criticism, with a recent survey indicating 66 per cent of Israelis believe the war should end and 64 per cent think Mr Netanyahu should resign. In fullNetanyahu enrages families after using incorrect hostages figure as poll shows most Israelis want him to quitThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Netanyahu under fire for miscounting hostages again
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu incorrectly stated the number of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza during an interview, claiming there were 46 when the correct figure is 48. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum publicly corrected Mr Netanyahu, demanding an explanation and emphasising that all 48 hostages were taken “on your watch”. The error occurred on the eve of the second anniversary of Hamas's cross-border attack into Israel, which saw 251 people taken captive. Mr Netanyahu has faced similar criticism previously for misstating hostage numbers, including in August when he referred to “all 20 of our hostages” while 50 were still held. His government faces increasing domestic criticism, with a recent survey indicating 66 per cent of Israelis believe the war should end and 64 per cent think Mr Netanyahu should resign. In fullNetanyahu enrages families after using incorrect hostages figure as poll shows most Israelis want him to quitThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
