Israel-Gaza live updates: Netanyahu asks hostage families for forgiveness

As Israeli President Isaac Herzog gave a eulogy at the funeral of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, he apologized to the slain 23-year-old.

"I apologize that the country you immigrated to at the age of 7, wrapped in the Israeli flag, could not keep you safe," Herzog said Monday, two days after the Israeli-American's body was recovered in Gaza, along with five others.

The president also asked for forgiveness from Goldberg-Polin's parents, Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin, for not bringing their son home alive.

He said he learned of "a mother's and father's limitless love" from Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin.

"Jon and Rachel, against the senseless hatred, and unthinkable brutality of Hamas terror, pure barbaric evil, you have taught the world about human dignity," Herzog said. "As a human being, as a father, and as the President of the State of Israel, I want to say how sorry I am. How sorry I am that we didn’t protect Hersh on that dark day. How sorry I am that we failed to bring him home."

Though he said Israel will "continue fighting relentlessly against" Hamas, Herzog stressed that the remaining 97 hostages must be released.

"The time to act is now: Bring them home," Herzog said.

"Decision-makers must do everything possible, with determination and courage, to save those who can still be saved," he said. "This is not a political goal, and it must not become a political dispute. It is a supreme moral, Jewish, and human duty of the State of Israel to its citizens."

-ABC News’ Becky Perlow

When asked by reporters if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doing enough on the hostage deal, President Joe Biden on Monday replied, "No."

Asked about presenting a final hostage deal this week, Biden said, "We are very close to that."

"Hope springs eternal," Biden said, when asked what makes this final deal different, but he declined to provide details.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are meeting with the U.S. hostage negotiation team Monday morning.

Click here to read more.

-ABC News’ Lauren Peller

Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s mother, Rachel, spoke directly to her slain son at his funeral Monday, saying she had been "absolutely certain that you were coming home to us alive. But it was not to be."

7:17

Mom of slain hostage asks her son to 'help us to rise again'

Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s mother, Rachel, spoke directly to her slain son at his funeral Monday, saying she had been "absolutely certain that you were coming home to us alive. But it was not to be."

"Now I no longer have to worry about you. I know you are no longer in danger," she said. "But now my worry shifts to us. ... How do we live the rest of our life without you?"

Rachel Goldberg-Polin said she had always dreamed of what kind of man her 23-year-old son would grow up to be, but now he will always stay her energetic, kind, patient, funny and pensive "sweet boy."

"If there was something we could’ve done to save you and I didn’t think of it, I beg your forgiveness," she said to her son, days after his body and the body of five other hostages were recovered in Gaza.

She also asked for her son’s help "as we transform our hope into grief in this new, unknown brand of pain."

"I beg of you, Hersh, please do what you can … help shower us with healing and resilience. Help us to rise again," she said.

She said she hopes one day that their family -- including Hersh’s dad and two sisters -- will "hear laughter and turn around -- and see it’s us and were OK."

Through tears, the grieving mom begged her friends to help the family through this "sickening new chapter," pleading, "please don’t leave us now."

To her son, she said, "Finally, you're free. ... I love you and I will miss you every single day for the rest of my life."

Hersh Goldberg-Polin was curious, self-assured and a deep, independent thinker, his dad, Jon Polin, said at his funeral on Monday.

The 23-year-old, who was found dead in Gaza this weekend, was "always seeking to understand the other, and always with dignity and respect," Polin said.

6:02

'We failed you,' says dad of slain American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin

Hersh Goldberg-Polin was curious, self-assured and a deep, independent thinker, his dad, Jon Polin, said at his funeral on Monday.

"Hersh, we failed you. We all failed you,” Polin said with a "332" on his shirt, marking how many days his son was held hostage. "You would not have failed you. You would’ve pushed harder for justice … to bridge differences. … What you would be pushing for now is to ensure your death … [and the others’ deaths are] not in vain."

"Maybe, just maybe, your death ... is the fuel that will bring home the remaining 101 hostages," Polin said.

"You have become a global symbol of bringing improvement to our world," he said.

"The 23 years of life that we had with you were a blessing. We now will work to make your legacy a similar blessing," he said.