Prisoner swap hinges on 'Israel's' Gaza residents return: Mossad chief
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Israeli media cited Mossad chief David Barnea as saying that a prisoner exchange deal could be reached if "Israel" demonstrates flexibility regarding the return of northern Gaza Strip residents.
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Israeli police detain a man during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of captives held in the Gaza Strip on March 23, 2024. (AP)
Israeli media reported Mossad chief David Barnea stating that a prisoner exchange deal could proceed if "Israel" demonstrates flexibility on the return of northern Gaza Strip residents, despite the Hamas movement's response.
Political affairs commentator on the Israeli Channel 12, Dana Weiss, stated that the ministers in the occupation government, Benny Gantz, Gadi Eisenkot, and Ron Drimmer, "joined this position."
Alternatively, Minister of Security Yoav Gallant and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy, as mentioned by Weiss, believed it wasn't the right moment to offer flexibility or a unilateral proposal concerning the northern Gaza Strip.
They emphasized the need to invade Rafah discreetly, without public disclosure, to support ongoing American efforts to bolster negotiations and facilitate reaching a potential agreement.
Channel 12's commentator added that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu didn't agree with both sides, criticizing them collectively and asserting, "You do not know how to handle tough negotiations."
According to a report by Vice, Netanyahu argued that instead of presenting an opposing or milder proposal, it should be "directly and publicly presented to Rafah." It reported that Netanyahu informed the ministers of his plan to send the negotiating delegation to Washington at the beginning of the following week.
Netanyahu was scheduled to meet with the cabinet today to discuss this matter, as per Vice. However, at the outset of his meeting with the families of the captured soldiers, he promptly announced, "We are heading towards Rafah." Additionally, he emphasized, "I am solely managing the negotiations."
This comes amid ongoing protests demanding Netanyahu's resignation and calls for an immediate prisoner-captive exchange deal with Gaza and for early elections.
