Shock for families: Israel rejects hostage deal with Hamas

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More than 230 people have been in the hands of Hamas for more than three weeks. The terrorist group launched an unprecedented major attack on Israel on October 7. According to Israeli information, approximately 1,400 people were killed and at least 230 hostages were taken.

Now Hamas is willing to release people if Israel in turn releases all Palestinian prisoners. “The price to be paid for the large number of enemy hostages in our hands is to empty Israel’s prisons of all Palestinian prisoners,” Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida said in a video message on Saturday.

Without military pressure there is no progress

A ray of hope for the families. Will their loved ones be released soon? No, explains Defense Minister Joav Gallant (64). Israel will not accept Hamas’ offer, Gallant announced on Sunday. Hamas plays ‘psycho games’. Military pressure on the terrorist group makes the release of the hostages more likely than a prisoner exchange. Gallant: “If there is no military pressure on Hamas, there will be no progress.”

Gal Hirsch, 59, a government representative on the hostage issue, attended the meeting, as did other security officials. Hirsch has been criticized for appearing to sidestep international efforts to negotiate the release of the hostages, led by Qatar.

The president wants to rely on the military

Israeli President Isaac Herzog (63) also met with the families of the hostages on Sunday. About 70 relatives of 35 hostages attended the meeting – and Herzog will meet with more relatives in the coming days.

“We must trust that the army will bring them all home safely,” Herzog said, according to the Times of Israel. Hamas is a cynical organization that does not care whether the residents of the Gaza Strip go hungry or do not receive humanitarian aid. All countries in the world are on Israel’s side.

Hostage families are angry

The relatives are angry and disappointed. They applied pressure and declared that no victory was possible unless all the missing returned home, as “The Times of Israel” reports.

“It took a long time for the government to take charge of the case, and even then many things were done poorly,” said a relative of the hostages.

Hirsch said negotiations were continuing and every effort was being made to reach the abductees and obtain information. “We really want to be successful in this matter and get all families home safely.” (jmh/AFP)

Source: Blick