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The political environment in Israel remains tense over the debate over a potential hostage deal with Hamas. Right-wing parties, including Otsma Yehudit and Religious Zionism, are strongly opposed to any negotiations, arguing that such an agreement could seriously threaten Israel’s national security, according to the news portal Cursorinfo.
Despite their unanimous opposition to the deal, right-wing Knesset factions are not taking radical action, such as withdrawing troops or similar steps. Instead, ten members of the Knesset from the coalition sent a strongly worded appeal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to uphold basic security principles and not to compromise with terrorists.
Minister of Religious Zionism Orit Struk has strongly opposed the deal, arguing that the release of terrorists will trigger a new wave of attacks against Israel. Tensions are rising with reactions from various quarters: Yitzhak Kreutzer of Otsma Yehudit said that his party would only support the deal if it ensured the release of all Israeli hostages without concessions to terrorists.
Prime Minister Netanyahu is actively negotiating with international partners, including US President Joe Biden, to discuss the terms of a potential deal. At the same time, Israel’s Consul General in New York, Ofir Akunis, expressed the opinion that the agreement could be signed by 20 January, although he noted that this was only his personal assessment of the situation.
The situation remains complex and unpredictable, with intense debate and differing opinions on the best way forward for Israel.
