Israeli media holds Netanyahu responsible for fate of captives in Gaza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
24 Jul 2024 15:27

Haaretz's editorial sharply criticizes Netanyahu's handling of negotiations concerning Israeli captives held by the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza, accusing Netanyahu of prioritizing political survival over human lives.

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IOF disperse demonstrators during a protest against Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of captives held in the Gaza Strip on July 20, 2024. (AP)

Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made headlines in Haaretz, which held him accountable for the fate of Israeli occupation captives being held by the Palestinian Resistance in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli newspaper stated that he would be responsible for their deaths if he did not finalize an agreement with the Resistance.

The newspaper emphasized that Netanyahu and his coalition regarded "security considerations" as "marginal," and trading it for "political survival" considering it the "most important, perhaps the only, consideration."

Haaretz argued that Netanyahu is "knowingly distorting the truth" when he claims that "the prisoners are suffering but not dying." The newspaper proclaimed that the "bitter truth" was that the prisoners "are suffering and some of them are dying, and if no agreement is reached, they will continue to suffer and die."

Human life secondary to Netanyahu, coalition

The editorial added that for Netanyahu's coalition, especially Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, "human life is deemed secondary." It accused them of opposing any deal and threatening to topple the government whenever reports of progress in negotiations emerge.

Haaretz further noted that Netanyahu prefers the survival of his government over the lives of the captives, despite support from the Shas and United Torah Judaism parties for the deal, and opposition leader Yair Lapid offering a safety net on this issue.

The newspaper emphasized, "Time is running out for the prisoners, and their lives are in real danger. If Netanyahu does not decide in their favor, he could be responsible for their deaths."

Haaretz also revealed a consensus among security and military leaders that reaching an agreement with the Resistance in Gaza in the coming weeks is feasible. Meanwhile, Security Minister Yoav Gallant reiterated that there is a limited window to finalize the prisoner deal.

Gallant’s advisor, Colonel Lior Lotan, described these opportunities as "precious time," explaining that "there are special opportunities in negotiations, but such opportunities expire if not seized."

The newspaper reported that the families of the captives feel that the delay in reaching an agreement makes the government and its leader "partners in crime," following the IOF's announcement of the death of 46 prisoners, with more pessimistic estimates from other sources, noting that most were killed by Israeli occupation forces fire.