Families of Israeli Prisoners Call for Action Amid Political Turmoil
Families of Israeli prisoners held in Gaza have voiced their frustration and anger towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of sacrificing their loved ones for his political survival. In a press conference held outside the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, the families claimed that Netanyahu has 'abandoned' the prisoners, who they describe as 'hostages in Netanyahu's war for political survival.' They argue that his disregard for their plight is a deliberate attempt to forget them, as he focuses on maintaining his position in the government.
These accusations come as the first anniversary of Operation 'Al-Aqsa Flood' approaches, a military campaign launched by Palestinian factions against Israeli settlements in Gaza. Currently, there are approximately 101 Israeli prisoners in Gaza, part of a larger group of 239 captured during the earlier Operation 'Noah’s Flood.' Despite ongoing indirect negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar, the families express doubts about the government's commitment to securing their loved ones' release, especially amid Netanyahu's insistence on continuing military actions in Gaza.
The families are demanding a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal with Palestinian factions, a call that has grown louder since the Israeli military's return of six bodies of prisoners from a tunnel in Rafah last month. They assert that Netanyahu lacks a mandate to neglect their relatives and warn that his actions could contribute to escalating regional tensions, potentially playing into the hands of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who seeks to ignite a broader conflict.
