Israeli Army Prepared to Pay Price for Prisoner Exchange Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict

The families of Israeli prisoners held by Hamas continue to demand an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the return of their loved ones, claiming they have been captive for over 400 days. Amid protests in cities like Haifa, Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi acknowledged that reaching a prisoner exchange agreement is a complex issue but emphasized the army's readiness to make sacrifices for their return. Halevi's statements come as Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant reportedly blamed Prime Minister Netanyahu for obstructing potential deals to secure the release of the prisoners. He indicated that Netanyahu had the opportunity to finalize an agreement last July but failed to do so, contributing to the ongoing suffering of the families and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, efforts led by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States for mediation have struggled to yield a lasting solution, despite temporary truces that allowed for limited exchanges of prisoners.