Father of Israeli captive says Netanyahu prolonging Gaza war for political survival

The father of an Israeli soldier held in Gaza has accused the regime's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, of abandoning the captives in favor of prolonging the war for his political survival. 

Speaking to Hebrew-language Maariv daily, Hagai Angrest, the father of the Israeli captive, said Netanyahu was stalling the deal with Hamas that could lead to the return of his son from Gaza.

"It seems Netanyahu is choosing his political survival over the lives of those in captivity," Angrest was quoted as saying.

“We were told this war would not end without them. But now it seems Netanyahu is choosing his political survival over the lives of those in captivity,” he said.

Angrest further accused the premier of endangering the lives of captives, soldiers, and civilians for personal reasons.

“Across the world, everyone is saying that a ceasefire and the return of the captives should be the top priority. Yet we see a prime minister who is abandoning the soldiers and sending more into battle.”

The remarks came hours after Netanyahu said in a televised speech that there was “no choice” but to continue the war on the blockaded Palestinian territory. 

He claimed that a ceasefire deal with Hamas would “undermine the gains of the war.”

The Israeli prime minister also alleged that Hamas rejected a proposal that included the release of half the living Israeli captives and many of the dead, in exchange for ending the war.

This is while Khalil al-Hayya, the Palestinian resistance group's chief negotiator and head of Hamas in Gaza, has made clear that Hamas was willing to engage in comprehensive negotiations that would secure the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for a full ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, reconstruction efforts, and the lifting of the siege.

The forum representing the families of Israeli captives on Thursday blasted Netanyahu's cabinet for choosing to occupy more territory over releasing the captives.

Netanyahu cabinet 'choosing to seize territory' instead of releasing captives, families say

The forum representing the families of Israelis held in Gaza says Netanyahu

Over 350 Israeli literary figures recently signed an open letter urging Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza and secure the return of the 59 remaining Israeli captives.

“Hamas has offered a deal for returning hostages, prisoner release, and a ceasefire. The prime minister outlined a phased deal but has done everything possible for the past seventeen months to thwart the agreement, fearing the war’s end would mean the end of his rule — and his freedom as a criminal defendant,” the letter stated.

More than 51,200 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, most of them women and children.

In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and the former Israeli minister for military affairs, Yoav Gallant, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on Gaza. 

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir