On Sunday, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu spoke at the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee regarding the plight of the hostages still being held by Hamas, almost a year after their abduction.
According to multiple people who attended the meeting, the Prime Minister said: “According to the information that we have, half of the hostages in Gaza are alive.”
Speaking about the possibility of a hostage release deal, Bibi said: “We continue to work to reach a hostage deal. Reports that Israel is the party that’s delaying the deal are not true. The delay comes from Hamas.”
Bibi also spoke about the proposed plan to designate northern Gaza as a closed military zone, saying: “(Giora) Eiland’s plan was brought before us, it makes sense. It is one of the plans being considered, but there are a few others. We are dedicated to dismantling Hamas’ civil rule.”
While Israel has touted it’s success at ‘dismantling’ Hamas’s battalions, critics argue that without ending Hamas’s civilian control, Hamas will not be defeated. Israel has thus far in the war evacuated it’s soldiers from areas in Gaza following combat, choosing not to stay and ‘hold’ areas that are heavily populated.
Bibi was also asked about his reported plan to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by MK Meir Cohen of the Yesh Atid party – Bibi evaded the question.
{Matzav.com}