Herzog: Cost of deal high, higher if hostages aren't returned

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
10 Sep 2024 13:28
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Israeli President Isaac Herzog emphasizes that Tel Aviv is facing a "pivotal moment" requiring unified efforts to secure the release of captives held in the Gaza Strip.

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Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv on December 14, 2023 (AFP)

Amid the escalating political divide, Israeli President Isaac Herzog has emphasized the need for "unity in the political system" during this crucial time, as reported by Israeli TV channel Makan.

Herzog emphasized that "Israel" is facing a "pivotal moment" requiring unified efforts to secure the release of captives held in the Gaza Strip.

In a meeting on Monday with the families of female soldiers who are currently captives in Gaza, Herzog noted that the "price of the deal is high" and warned that "the cost will be significantly higher if we fail to return the hostages." He urged the entire Israeli political system to "come together and make decisive moves" to facilitate the captives' release.

The Otzma Yehudit party, led by Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, sharply criticized Herzog, accusing him of "collaborating with Hamas propaganda" and the "blood libel of the extreme left." The party declared its continued opposition to any prisoner exchange deal that might result in "additional casualties and captives in the future."

Furthermore, Otzma Yehudit condemned Herzog’s call for a "unity government" to address the captive situation, labeling it as "irresponsible and aligned with Hamas and the extreme Left." The party advocated for "increased and sustained heavy military pressure" on Gaza and calls for halting humanitarian aid and fuel shipments to the region "until all hostages are released."

On his part, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich supported Herzog's stance that the government is "striving hard to return the hostages alive" but emphasized that it is not willing to "commit collective suicide" to achieve this goal. He also criticized the slow progress in "eliminating Hamas's civil rule."

Additionally, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have previously threatened to withdraw from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government if it agrees to any ceasefire or prisoner exchange with Gaza. This has intensified accusations that Netanyahu is leading a government of Ben-Gvir and Smotrich and is obstructing a prisoner exchange deal to avoid destabilizing his administration.

60% of Israelis say exchange deal priority over Philadelphi Corridor

The majority of Israeli settlers believe that a prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian Resistance should take precedence over Israeli troops occupying the Philadelphi Corridor.

Earlier this week, a poll conducted by Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 found that only 28% of Israeli settlers found that the occupation of the Phildalephi Axis was more important than a prisoner swap. Another 12% said that they don't know, while 60% said that they prefer the completion of a prisoner exchange deal.

In the southernmost areas of the Gaza Strip, on the Palestinian side of the Palestinian-Egyptian border in the besieged territory, Israeli occupation forces occupy several points along the route known as the Philadelphi Corridor.

The Israeli entity's obstruction of ceasefire negotiations has been attributed to its occupation of this axis. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's tactics in mediated negotiations and his insistence on maintaining an Israeli military presence in the Gaza Strip are said to have derailed talks on multiple occasions since May this year.

Moreover, the death of six Israeli captives on Sunday September 1 has led to immense backlash targeting the government, which is accused of neglecting the prisoner exchange file and prioritizing the occupation of the Philadelphi Corridor.

The recently published poll offers insight into the current mood of Israeli communities after several protests were organized to demand the release of captives.

As for their evaluation of the government's actions, 61% of respondents said the government is not doing all it can to bring the captives home, 34% said it is, and 5% said that they do not know.