After the elimination of the leader of the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas Yahya Sinwar in Gaza last week and as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened the security cabinet on Sunday, relatives of hostages held in Gaza called on the prime minister on Sunday to press for a deal to release their loved ones.
Sharon Sharabi, whose brothers Eli Sharabi and Yossi Sharabi were kidnapped in Gaza on October 7, 2023 (Yossi was once thought killed in an IDF strike), said a “real opportunity has been created to bring back the hostages.”
“It was always stated that Sinwar was making things difficult and didn’t want a deal. Now that the main stumbling block has been removed, there is significant potential to realize the will of the Israeli people and act according to the moral compass that has remained silent for an entire year,” she added during a special press conference.
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“Victory consists of two main things: the defeat of Hamas and the return of the hostages. Hamas’ top leaders and commanders were all defeated. Now is the time to order the negotiating team to be decisive in returning the hostages. »
Shelly Shem-Tov, whose 21-year-old son, Omer Shem-Tov, was kidnapped at the Nova music festival on October 7, said: “Over the past month and a half, the IDF has made extraordinary achievements on all fronts. foreheads. We heard the Prime Minister say he wanted to do a deal but there was no one to talk to, but the time has come. The big obstacle is no longer there. Now is the time to do what needs to be done, which is to bring our loved ones home. »
Gilad Korngold, whose son Tal Shoham is being held captive in Gaza, addressed Netanyahu: “Mr. Prime Minister, the IDF has made significant achievements in Gaza, and now remains the final step to fulfill your moral and bring back all the hostages. »
The house where Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was shot dead by troops, in the southern Gaza Strip, in Rafah, October 20, 2024. (Emanuel Fabian/Times of Israel)
With the elimination of Sinwar, Israel is looking for an opportunity to end the war in Gaza, an Israeli official told Times of Israel.
The Prime Minister’s Office, however, refused to confirm this information, instead stating: “We will not end the war until we have achieved all our objectives.” »
“We continue to put military pressure on Hamas,” the prime minister’s office official said.
“You can see the effects in Jabaliya. We continue to kill Hamas terrorists. We are looking for a psychological breakdown. »
When that happens, the prime minister’s office official said, it will be possible to strike separate deals with smaller Hamas factions.
An estimated 97 of the 251 hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023 are still in Gaza, including the bodies of 34 hostages whose deaths were confirmed by the Israeli military.
Hamas released 105 civilians during a week-long truce in late November. Four captives had previously been released. Eight living hostages were rescued by soldiers and the remains of 37 hostages were recovered, including those of three Israelis who were accidentally killed by the army.
The Palestinian terrorist group also holds two Israeli civilians who entered the Gaza Strip in 2014 and 2015, as well as the bodies of two soldiers killed in 2014.
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