Hamas
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.
“It is long past time for the fighting to end and the work of building peace and security to begin,” the president said.
“It is now time to deliver this agreement for all hostages and their families, the people of Gaza, and the people of the region,” said the E.U. foreign policy chief.
Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and hostage release deal during talks in Doha on Wednesday.
The U.S. president-elect said his team “will continue to work closely with Israel and our allies to make sure Gaza never again becomes a terrorist safe haven.”
