Israeli media: Netanyahu gov. gambles with lives of Israeli captives

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
11 Oct 2023 12:00

Israeli newspaper, Haaretz, calls on the Israeli government to urgently agree to a prisoner swap agreement.

Israeli soldier apprehended by Hamas fighters, Saturday, October 7, 2023 (Islamic Resistance Movement Military Media)

In its editorial page, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz called on the Israeli government to urgently work for the release of settlers held captive by Hamas and the PIJ in the Gaza Strip.

"The meaning is clear: an immediate push for a prisoner exchange deal, with Israeli readiness to release the security prisoners held in Israel."

The newspaper added that the lethal bombardment campaign against Gaza is evidence that returning the captives is not a priority for the government at the moment.

#AlMayadeen correspondent has reported that there could be a #Palestinian infiltration into the Israeli settlement "Sderot", where Ben Gvir distributed 27,000 weapons to settlers.#Palestine pic.twitter.com/b1YdaWdUn3
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 11, 2023

The newspaper also criticized the Israeli government's decision to act by the Hanibal Protocol in regard to those held captives in Gaza. The rule of thumb of the Hanibal Protocol is "Better a dead soldier than a captive soldier".

The newspaper quoted the Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, in an interview with CNN as saying that concern for the situation of the captives "will not prevent us from doing everything required to ensure Israel's future."

Yossi Shelly, the Director-General of the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, also said, "The captives are a reality, and the attack is a reality, and this is the decision".

Minister of Finance, Tzachi Hanegbi called on the IOF to "strike Hamas viciously and not give importance to the issue of the prisoners."

The newspaper warned the Israeli government and leadership against sacrificing the captives for the sake of attempting to save the dignity of the Israeli army.

The Israeli newspaper emphasized that "no government has the right to trade the lives of the missing and sacrifice them" especially the current Israeli government, describing it as "the most neglectful government" in the history of Israeli governments.

"Israel's" brutal bombing of the #Gaza Strip is still ongoing as the IOF is still flattening residential buildings and killing almost a thousand #Palestinians so far.#Palestine pic.twitter.com/1wuiB0l9hu
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 11, 2023

Haaretz concluded its editorial by saying, "No waiting, delay, or hesitation is allowed; every second that passes endangers their lives and the peace of their families. It's time for a prisoner exchange deal."

On Monday, military spokesperson for al-Qassam Brigades Abu Obeida stated that the occupation’s recent bombing of the Gaza Strip led to the death of four captured Israeli settlers.

The number of dead Israelis as a result of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood has increased to around 1,200 while those injured have exceeded 2,900, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority said in a post on X on Wednesday.

#BREAKING | Palestinian resistance source to #AlMayadeen: The resistance works according to pre-prepared plans and through full coordination with the Axis of Resistance joint operations room. #Palestine #OperationAlAqsaFlood pic.twitter.com/IBkUTNLa9F
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 11, 2023

The Israeli Ynet news website said that the number of Israelis killed since the operation was launched on Saturday exceeds 1,200, adding that there are more than 200 Israelis held captive by the Palestinian Resistance in the Gaza Strip.

The families of those held captive have warned Israeli occupation, President Isaac Herzog, saying that if their sons and daughters do not return from Gaza, they "will shake Israel to its core if necessary," emphasizing that they "will not accept leaving them in Gaza."

Israeli media outlets reported on the growing anger and frustration among settlers in the Gaza envelope settlements and the families of Israeli captives.

The settlements that were infiltrated by the #Palestinian Resistance are mostly burned as a result of massive confrontations and Resistance missiles that targeted these illegal settlements.#Palestine #Gaza #OperationAlAqsaFlood pic.twitter.com/wb9JQXy679
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 11, 2023

The Times of Israel paid particular attention to the "shock" that hit the families of the captives, following "abandoning them while they searched for most of the individuals who are still missing" amid a "chaotic" situation.