Hamas
The Jewish state’s enemies treated the truce as a victory. Israel’s allies called it a chance to “break the cycle of violence.”
“You are directly responsible for all the blood that will be shed,” bereaved father Eliyahu Libman said in remarks directed to the Israeli government.
Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya also thanked Turkey, South Africa, Algeria, Russia, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Belgium, Spain and Ireland for their support.
“If they need to go back in, we’re with them. If Hamas doesn’t live up to the terms of this agreement, we are with them.”
The agreement includes Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border and the return of hundreds of thousands to northern Gaza.
As some celebrate the abductees’ imminent release, others fear the deal endangers those left behind, and also Israel’s national security.
“You have to fight the ideology and change people’s minds and hearts.”
“Hamas shows no mercy even for the dead,” the IDF Spokesperson said.
“The prime minister made it clear that he is committed to returning all of the hostages however he can,” according to a statement from Jerusalem.
“This isn’t ‘peace through strength,’” Mort Klein, of ZOA, told JNS. “It is heartbreaking and infuriating and frightening that Israel’s government is agreeing to this deal.”
Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity Party, said securing the release of the hostages “is simply the only way forward.”
“There is no greater moral, human, Jewish or Israeli obligation than to bring our sons and daughters back to us,” said the Israeli head of state.
