Israeli captives' families call for overthrowing Netanyahu

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
22 Jun 2024 23:13
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Protests in Israeli-occupied cities persist, as captives' families demand a prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian Resistance.

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Israelis protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for a prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian Resistance, in Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, on June 22, 2024 (AP)

The families of Israeli captives held the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fully responsible for the lives of their family members who are held in the Gaza Strip by the Palestinian Resistance.

A statement released by the group said that captives are dying in the Gaza Strip, as Netanyahu continues to delay their release.

The statement read, "Netanyahu does not want to reach a deal (with the Palestinian Resistance for their release."

The families asserted that no deal with the Resistance in Gaza can be reached "without toppling Netanyahu," adding that "the blood of the captives is on Netanyahu's hands."

The group urged Israelis to protest against the Netanyahu-led Israeli government, as daily protests and demonstrations persist in Israeli-occupied territories.

The statement released on Saturday came as thousands gathered in Tel Aviv and other areas to protest the current Israeli government, demanding early elections and a prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian Resistance.

The Israeli settlers' confidence in the Netanyahu government has taken a huge hit, especially after the spokesperson of the Israeli occupation forces, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, lambasted the "war goals" set by authorities.

According to the spokesperson the goal of "eradicating Hamas" is unattainable.

"Hamas is an idea. Those who think it can be made to disappear are wrong," Hagari told Israeli Channel 13, adding that anyone offering this solution is "misleading the public."

In a similar context, an opinion poll conducted by the Israeli Channel 12 revealed that 51% of Israeli settlers believe that achieving a "total victory" against Hamas is also unattainable.

According to the poll, Israelis viewed the performance of Netanyahu, along with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Security Minister Yoav Gallant, during the war as "weak."

Recently, the protests have gained traction, especially after the leaders of the State Camp movement, Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, quit the Israeli war cabinet. The war on Gaza has revealed deep fissures within the Israeli occupation forces' actual capabilities and the improbability of objectives set out by Netanyahu.

In the meantime, more Israelis grow convinced that a prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian Resistance would be the only way to secure the captives' release, while Netanyahu's government doubled down on its claims and war goals.