Relatives say escalation with Lebanon leaves Israeli captives at more risk
The families voiced concern about Israel’s military escalation with Hezbollah, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of sacrificing “the captives’ lives for the sake of his own political survival”.
In a statement, the families’ representative said a deal to release those being held in Gaza should have occurred before any military escalation or widening of the conflict.
An Israeli air raid targeting Hezbollah officials in Beirut on Friday killed at least 37 people, including three children and seven women.
About 100 captives remain in Gaza, at least one-third of whom are believed dead. More than 100 others were released in return for Palestinian prisoners in November, and eight have been rescued by Israeli forces.
Demonstrators in Tel Aviv protest against the Netanyahu government on Saturday
‘Illusion of absolute victory: Israelis rally for captive release
Thousands of Israelis have again taken to the streets of Tel Aviv to press for a Gaza truce deal that could free dozens of captives.
Eli Elbag, father of captive Liri Elbag, addressed his daughter at the demonstration. “It’s been a year since I last kissed you, a year since I last laughed with you. We will continue to fight to bring everyone home.”
Saturday’s protest unfolded in the shadow of increasing cross-border attacks between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah.
Shahar Mor, nephew of slain captive Avraham Munder, said he feared the fight against Hezbollah would again distract leaders from the plight of the abductees. “Their goal is to focus on the illusion of ‘absolute victory’ that is always just around the corner.”
Best way to return Israelis to the north: ‘Stop Gaza bombardment’
Mohamad Elmasry, a professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, says that after taking multiple hits this week, Hezbollah is now trying to “shore up security and intelligence” and figure out how Israel was able to carry out the series of deadly attacks.
How the group responds “is a very difficult balancing act. They’re walking a tightrope”, he told Al Jazeera.
“If they respond forcefully – which is what they’ve promised and many are expecting – they risk all-out war and Israel doing to Beirut what it did to Gaza. On the other hand, if they don’t respond forcefully enough, they risk their deterrence capacity and their reputation,” said Elmasry.
There is a much more effective way for Israel to get its citizens safely back home in the country’s north, rather than starting a full-blown war with Hezbollah.
“That is, to stop the bombardment of Gaza. They’ve already levelled Gaza, it will take at least 80 years to reconstruct Gaza, according to the UN. But Israel is intent on continuing to attack.”
