A potential deal aimed at securing the release of hostages held in Gaza for more than 15 months and halting the ongoing conflict was criticized by one of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s closest allies as a “catastrophe” on Monday. This prompted a strong response from the families of those held captive, as well as from others advocating for the long-awaited agreement.
Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich’s remarks, which echoed the sentiments of other right-wing opponents to any compromise with the Hamas terrorist organization, highlighted the challenges Israel’s leadership faces domestically. These comments came as negotiators in Qatar appeared to be nearing a final deal. Meanwhile, opposition leader Yair Lapid offered to assist Netanyahu in securing the political backing necessary for the deal.
Members of Otzma Yehudit, Religious Zionism, and Likud, along with other lawmakers, were among the 10 Knesset members who signed a letter opposing any agreement that does not include the release of all hostages at once, does not maintain Israel’s military control, or lacks measures to prevent a large influx of Gazans into the already devastated northern region of the Gaza Strip.
Public opinion polls indicate that most Israelis support a deal that would release the hostages and end the fighting, though there is still some debate over what compromises Israel should make in exchange for these outcomes.
Other coalition members, including the Agudas Yisrael faction of the United Torah Judaism party, also expressed their support for a deal. They called on the government to “act decisively and quickly, without involving political considerations or other interests.”
MK Yaakov Asher suggested that the Degel Hatorah faction of UTJ would also support the agreement.
“We think we need to save the hostages as quickly as possible and we will give full support to any responsible move the prime minister makes,” he stated during a Knesset meeting.
{Matzav.com Israel}