Benny Gantz, leader of the Israeli opposition party 'State Camp', has called for the Israeli government to prioritize the return of kidnapped soldiers from Gaza over the settlement of new settlers in the region. In recent statements, Gantz urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to clarify his stance on the detainees and to develop a plan that would lead to a ceasefire and the safe return of Israeli prisoners held by Palestinian factions. He emphasized that Israel's focus should solely be on the kidnapped soldiers and security, rather than expanding settlements in Gaza, which he believes should not be a priority.
Gantz's comments come amid ongoing tensions and calls from right-wing parties within the Israeli government for the occupation and resettlement of Gaza. Negotiations for a prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel have stalled, largely due to Netanyahu's insistence on maintaining control over key areas along the Gaza-Egypt border and preventing the return of Palestinian fighters to northern Gaza. Hamas, on the other hand, demands a full Israeli withdrawal and a halt to hostilities before any agreement can be reached.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached critical levels since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, with reports indicating over 149,000 Palestinian casualties, including many women and children, and thousands more missing. This ongoing violence has led to widespread condemnation and has been described as one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history.
