Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir warned that a potential deal to release hostages held by Hamas in Gaza would end in a “disaster”, according to the Times of Israel website, which reported his comments to Channel 14 .
Speaking to the broadcaster, the right-wing minister said: “I am very angry because now there is talk of an agreement. I am angry because we have been divided again and we have not been told the truth once again… Rumors say that the State of Israel will once again make a big mistake in the style of the Shalit agreement.”
Ben Gvir was referring to the deal under which soldier Gilad Shalit was released in 2011, in exchange for the release of 1,027 Palestinian prisoners, including the current Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, believed to be the mastermind of the Hamas attack. on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Hamas personnel in Israel.
Ben Gvir added: “Remember that we released Gilad Shalit, and we released (Yahya) Sinwar and his friends, and we brought this problem ourselves.”
The media revealed that a deal was “close” to an agreement between Israel and Hamas for the release of the hostages, provided this occurred “within 4 or 5 days of the truce”, during which both sides would stop shooting.
Two knowledgeable sources told CNN on Sunday that “the agreement includes the release of 50 hostages held by Hamas” (classified as a terrorist organization in the United States and other countries), after efforts that have continued for weeks.
The American newspaper The Washington Post reported on Sunday that “Israel, the United States and Hamas are close to reaching a deal that would allow the release of dozens of women and children held hostage in Gaza in exchange for a five-day truce. “
According to the newspaper, the release, which could begin “in the next few days”, “if obstacles are overcome at the last minute”, could lead, according to sources familiar with the details, to the first cessation of the conflict in Gaza.
The Haaretz newspaper indicated in another article on Sunday that there was a “division” among government members over reaching a possible agreement.
While one government group believes it is necessary for Israel to move immediately to save all the hostages that can be saved, another group insists on the need to continue to put pressure on Hamas with all its strength.