Gantz calls for captives' swift return, implementation of first phase
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Israeli Knesset member Benny Gantz demands that the first phase of the prisoner exchange deal not be postponed to ensure the swift return of Israeli captives.
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Israeli politician Benny Gantz speaks with the media on a viewpoint near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 (AP)
Israeli Knesset member Benny Gantz on Thursday criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that the idea of extending the first phase of the prisoner exchange deal stems from "partisan interests."
He stressed that the Israeli occupation's true priority should be to swiftly secure the release of more living captives, as their lives are in danger and time is working in Hamas' favor, allowing it to rearm and strengthen its political position.
During a tour in northern occupied Palestine, Gantz addressed Netanyahu directly, saying, "Prime Minister, stop wasting time. All captives must be returned, and Hamas must be confronted without our hands tied. Extending the timeframe only strengthens Hamas."
Gantz’s remarks come as the first phase of the deal nears its conclusion amid reports that Netanyahu intends to prolong it instead of moving to the second phase, particularly after leaks suggesting that Israeli forces will not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor in Gaza.
Read more: Israeli captives' families accuse Netanyahu of blocking prisoner swap
Meanwhile, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid warned, "If we do not proceed with the deal now, all the captives will die. We must not allow that to happen."
In a related development, Netanyahu’s office announced that he had instructed a negotiation team to travel to Cairo on Thursday to continue talks on the deal.
This comes after the Palestinian resistance, on Wednesday night, released the seventh batch of Palestinian prisoners, which included 620 detainees, following the handover of the remains of four Israelis to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Netanyahu delays deal
The Israeli government has postponed the release of Palestinian detainees who were set to be freed on Saturday under the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.
Early on Sunday, after hours of stalling, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Palestinian prisoners' release will be delayed indefinitely. Netanyahu pointed to the celebratory events arranged by the Resistance before handing over Israeli captives to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as the reason behind the decision.
"In light of the repeated violations by Hamas — including the ceremonies that demean our hostages and the cynical use of our hostages for propaganda purposes — it has been decided to delay the release of terrorists planned for yesterday until the next release of hostages is guaranteed, and without the degrading ceremonies," Netanyahu said.
Read more: Israelis are violating ceasefire over prisoner swap delay: Hamas
Captives demand Israeli gov. negotiate their release
In a widely circulated video, Israeli captive Omer Shem Tov was seen kissing the foreheads of two al-Qassam Brigades fighters during the event in the al-Nuseirat refugee camp. The footage quickly went viral across social media platforms.
Two other Israeli captives, Eviatar David and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, were also seen in the ceremony. The two captives were not scheduled for release in the first stage of the ceasefire agreement. Moreover, the status of the two has been unknown for months now.
Both David and Gilbao-Dalal were shocked to see fellow captives being released and urged the Israeli government to secure their release.
"Netanyahu stop! You have finished us, you killed us!" Gilboa-Dalal said.
