‘We must return to war and destroy’: Ben-Gvir responds to Hamas
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s former security minister known for his incendiary remarks against Palestinians, has responded to Hamas’s announcement of delaying the release of captives.
“Hamas’s announcement should have one real-life response: a massive fire attack on Gaza from the air and land, alongside a complete halt to humanitarian aid to the Strip, including electricity, fuel, and water, and including the bombing of aid packages that have already been brought in and are in Hamas’s hands in Gaza,” he said in a post on X.
“We must return to war and destroy.”
Gaza truce mediators likely to ‘step in to save the day’
This move by Hamas is especially notable because the Israelis have been telling us publicly that they don’t like phase two of the ceasefire deal, that they’re trying to escape phase two.
The Israelis are echoing the new position of the White House about ethnically cleansing Gaza while making it ever more unlivable and more difficult for Palestinians to survive. The tents, food, medicine are not coming in in as much as it’s supposed to since the ceasefire began.
It’s bad intentions on the part of the Israelis to try and undermine the ceasefire, because they don’t want to start discussing phase two and end of the war.
I think the mediators are going to step in and probably save the day before Saturday. But that doesn’t mean after that things are going to go smoothly. After that, all bets are off.
Families of Israeli captives respond to Hamas announcement
Bring Them Home Now, the group representing families of Israeli captives, has responded to Hamas’s decision to suspend their release.
“In response to Hamas’s recent announcement, we have urgently requested assistance from the mediating countries to help restore and implement the existing deal effectively,” it said in a statement.
“We stand with the Israeli government and encourage maintaining the conditions that will ensure the successful continuation of the agreement, leading to the safe return of our 76 brothers and sisters.”
The mother of one captive, Einav Tsengauker, was quoted by Israel’s army radio as saying, “Hamas’s announcement is a direct result of Netanyahu’s reckless behaviour. The deliberate foot-dragging, the lack of a mandate for the delegation, and the unnecessary boasting sabotage the agreement.”
