“No one has any idea” how many Israeli hostages are still alive in the hands of Hamas. This was said by Osama Hamdan, representative of the terrorist group in Beirut, during an interview with CNN. Any release agreement, Hamdan argues, must include guarantees of a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israel’s troops from Gaza. Hamas, the representative continues, needs “a clear position from Israel to accept the ceasefire, a complete withdrawal from Gaza and let the Palestinians determine their future alone, the reconstruction, the (revocation) of siege…we are ready to talk about a fair agreement on the exchange of prisoners.”
On the contrary, Israel “knows how many hostages are still alive in Gaza.” Benny Gantz told CNN this, explaining that the Israeli government knows the fate of the Bibas family, among the prisoners in the hands of Hamas whose story has become a symbol for the country. “In due time” the public will know, Gantz said, also referring to his exit from the war cabinet. “On October 7, we were all on the same page and worked in sync. But over time, things changed. Decisions were delayed due to pressure from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and others. simply gave up, but I tried to warn and correct their path. When I realized that it was impossible, I left. The battle will be long, it will last years. The challenges are enormous and we can only face them Israel chooses new leadership.” On the new government in Gaza, Gantz states that “it cannot be Hamas and it cannot be Israel” that holds the reins, although the latter will continue its military grip on some territories of the Strip, albeit without “governing” it.
