Israeli captives' families urge Trump to reject partial Gaza agreement
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Israeli captives' families condemn the Israeli leadership for prioritizing political interests over the captives' lives.
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Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and call for the release of captives held in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, Saturday, on December 28, 2024. (AP)
On Saturday evening, families of Israeli captives held by Resistance forces in Gaza staged protests across northern, central, and southern occupied Palestine, criticizing the Israeli leadership's poor handling of prisoner swap talks.
Families Demand Transparency
In Tel Aviv, Nimrod Cohen's father directly addressed US President-elect Donald Trump, stating, "Netanyahu is trying to deceive you. Do not accept a partial agreement; it is effectively a death sentence for the remaining captives and will not end the war. Do not allow these delays to continue."
A statement issued by the captives' families accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing progress. "Netanyahu is fabricating new excuses each time to prevent completing the deal," it read, adding, "Anyone who claims they do not intend to end the war has no intention of bringing the captives home. By setting new conditions before completing the deal, they are sentencing the captives to death."
Read more: Israeli forces acknowledge Gaza ops influenced killing of six captives
The family of Yoram Metzger, who was killed while in captivity in Gaza, stressed the urgent need for resolution, stating, "Ending the war and reaching a comprehensive agreement are urgent security interests. All captives are in immediate danger of death and should not be victims of an unnecessary and illogical political conflict."
Speaking about the prolonged captivity of Oron Shaul, whose capture dates back to July 2014, his brother lamented, "We have celebrated eleven birthdays for Oron while he has been in captivity in Gaza. This is an unreasonable amount of time. Everything has changed—governments and ministries—but one thing remains: neglect of the captives' issue."
Criticism of Israeli Leadership
The families condemned the Israeli leadership for prioritizing political interests over the captives' lives. "Netanyahu and [Security] Minister Israel Katz sit in warm, air-conditioned rooms, celebrating the continuation of the war, while our sons freeze in the tunnels," the statement said. They also accused Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of "wanting to build settlements over the remains of our captives."
The families demanded an immediate and comprehensive agreement, noting, "Our soldiers should not be lost in a political war, and their lives are at imminent risk."
Israeli Channel 12 reported that "negotiations for the deal between Israel and Hamas are stalled but not yet failed." Yair Golan, leader of "Israel's" Democratic Party, criticized Netanyahu's government, claiming it is "sacrificing captives and soldiers in Gaza and refusing to end the war."
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Hamas, in a statement on Wednesday, accused "Israel" of introducing "new issues and conditions related to withdrawal, the ceasefire, captives, and the return of displaced persons," which it said "has delayed reaching an agreement that was previously achievable."
