Netanyahu gambling with captives: No deal to ensure political survival
3 Min Read
An Israeli source has disclosed to Ynet that Netanyahu is avoiding a prisoner exchange with the Palestinian Resistance to prevent public demands for early elections and an investigation.
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Israeli police disperse settlers protesting against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and calling for the release of captives, in al-Quds, occupied Palestine, Oct. 28, 2024. (AP)
An Israeli political source told the Israeli news outlet, Yedioth Ahronoth, that Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fears that finalizing a prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza could lead to demands for early elections and calls for an official investigation.
According to the source, Netanyahu is not focused on retrieving Israeli captives or ending the war but rather on keeping his government intact and avoiding scrutiny.
The source also revealed to Yedioth Ahronoth, citing an intelligence source, that a conspiracy is underway involving forging documents and spreading disinformation to derail the prisoner exchange deal.
Demanding early elections, settlers to Netanyahu: ‘You’ve betrayed us’
Around 500 settlers gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv for the weekly rally of the "Hostage Families Forum," demanding a comprehensive deal to release all remaining captives.
Meanwhile, a similarly sized protest just a block away on Begin Road also called for a captives agreement and accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing negotiations.
“Netanyahu don’t forget, history won’t forgive,” they chanted.
Settlers marched from Zion Square in occupied al-Quds to Paris Square, demanding the release of captives held in Gaza.
Some anti-government activists carried a large banner criticizing Netanyahu, who is under investigation for allegedly leaking classified documents from his office.
The banner reads, “A spy in my office? I didn’t see anything. Netanyahu – a useful idiot.”
This comes after the office of Netanyahu released a statement on Friday refuting claims of any staff members being arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation by the Shin Bet, Israeli occupation forces (IOF), and the Israeli police into the leak of classified intelligence, Israeli media reported. The announcement comes after a Rishon Lezion court judge partially lifted a gag order on the case, confirming that several suspects have been detained, though none were identified as Netanyahu's aides.
According to Judge Menachem Mizrahi, authorities commenced the "open phase" of their joint investigation this past week, targeting a potential breach of "national security" due to the leaked information. Mizrahi highlighted the severity of the suspected leak, stating it potentially jeopardized "Israel's" war efforts. While details remain restricted, the judge noted, "Several suspects were arrested for questioning, and the investigation is ongoing."
Read more: Netanyahu office investigation into leak leads to several arrested
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
