Israeli forces spokesperson: Can't retrieve all captives militarily

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
16 Jun 2024 00:26
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Israeli experts acknowledge that Tel Aviv is far from achieving complete victory and that securing the release of captives in Gaza will require a substantial concessions-based agreement.

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Hundreds of settlers pushed through police barriers around Netanyahu's residence in al-Quds on 4 November 2023. (X)

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an Israeli military spokesperson, confirmed on Saturday evening that the army will not be able to retrieve all the captives in the Gaza Strip through military operations, according to Israeli Channel 12.

This echoes the remarks of Amos Harel, a military affairs analyst for the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, who argued that "Israel is not close to total victory," adding that the retrieval of a large number of captives in the Gaza Strip "will only be possible through a deal that requires significant concessions."

In turn, the Israeli newspaper Maariv quoted the former head of the Operations Directorate in the Israeli military, Major General (Res.) Israel Ziv, affirming that "only a deal can bring back the Israeli hostages."

Ziv added that the deal should be part of a comprehensive deal to end the war, noting that such a deal "is more in our favor because we are facing an existential threat in the North."

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Harel said on June 10 that Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir rushed to indicate that "only through great and continuous military pressure will we be able to return" the rest of the captives.

Harel doubted whether Ben-Gvir, the Israeli minister who oversees the operations of the Yamam Unit, which took part in the Nuseirat operation, has even participated in the decision-making process and the preparations for the operation.

The Israeli analyst mentioned that the officials who led the Nuseirat operation "think entirely differently from him," adding that some of them made it clear that it is impossible to recover all the remaining captives in a similar manner.

He suggested that it appears a large number of the remaining captives are being held in tunnels and underground hideouts, adding that "it can be assumed that Hamas will learn lessons from the operation" and tighten security around the captives.

Harel confirmed that the Israeli army shares the position of other security officials that "Israel" should pursue a deal to free all the captives, even if it comes "at a high price" and even if Hamas can portray the agreement as an achievement for it.