The leader of the National Unity party, Benny Gantz, has said that a ceasefire is possible only if Israeli hostages are released. He said this at a conference of the Institute for Haredi Strategy and Policy on Tuesday.
“Either the hostages return or we resume hostilities”
“As I understand it, this ceasefire was initially aimed at releasing hostages. And if they are not released, there is no point in a ceasefire. For me, the situation looks clear: either everyone returns, or we continue to fight. It’s as simple as that,” Gantz said.
He stressed that all those captured should be returned home, because today they may be alive, but there are no guarantees that this will be the case tomorrow.
Radical statements by the government
Before a meeting of the political and security cabinet, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that if at least one hostage is killed, Israel will declare sovereignty over 5% of the Gaza Strip.
“We have the full support of President Trump,” he added.
Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Eli Cohen (Likud) also expressed a tough stance: “Anyone who thinks they can blackmail Israel is wrong.”
Reaction to the emigration of Palestinians
The issue of the voluntary emigration of Palestinians from Gaza has sparked debate in political circles. Labour Party chairman Yair Golan said that the eviction of Gaza residents contradicts Jewish and Zionist values.
In response, Benny Ganz said: “If someone decides to emigrate voluntarily, I don’t see anything inhumane in that.”
