Israel proposes a deal regarding the hostages held in Gaza.

Arab Sea Newspaper - Special

Arab Sea_Agencies: Former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz suggested on Saturday to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the formation of a transitional coalition that would neutralize the far-right parties and allow for a hostage agreement, while calling on opposition politicians Yair Lapid and Avigdor Lieberman to consider his proposal. In contrast, Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right Minister of National Security, expressed his rejection of the idea. Netanyahu's government is facing increasing internal pressure to end the war, and protest movements to reach an agreement that allows the release of hostages held in Gaza. In an attempt to secure an agreement leading to the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Saturday called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a national unity government with figures from the opposition. Netanyahu's government coalition is based on the support of the far-right, which refuses to end the war in the Palestinian sector or conclude any agreement with Hamas. Gantz, who is at odds with Netanyahu despite joining his government in the early stages of the war that erupted after the October 7, 2023 attack, proposed forming a transitional coalition that would neutralize the far-right parties and allow for a hostage agreement. The former Minister of Defense and Chief of Staff of the Army said, "I am here on behalf of the voiceless hostages. I am here for the soldiers who are screaming, but no one in this government is listening to them." Gantz stressed that "the state's duty in the first place is to save the lives of Jews and all citizens," calling on opposition politicians Yair Lapid and Avigdor Lieberman to consider his proposal, noting that they had previously refused to join any government led by the current Prime Minister. Netanyahu's coalition is at risk of unraveling after the Knesset's summer recess, as it has lost the support of ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties due to decisions to call up Talmudic school students for military service. Increasing internal pressure Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Minister of National Security and one of the most prominent figures of the far-right in the coalition, was quick to criticize Gantz's proposal. Ben-Gvir said in a statement that "voters on the right chose a right-wing policy, not Gantz's policy, not a centrist government, not surrender deals with Hamas, but (a policy of) yes to achieving absolute victory." According to what was published by "France 24", Netanyahu's government is facing increasing internal pressure to end the war, and protest movements to reach an agreement that allows the release of hostages held in Gaza. Earlier this week, Netanyahu said he had ordered negotiations aimed at freeing the remaining hostages, adding that the diplomatic push would be accompanied by a new offensive to take control of Gaza City. The plan to expand the offensive in Gaza, which was approved by the Security Cabinet headed by Netanyahu earlier this month, has been met with opposition in Israel due to concerns about the fate of the hostages. It also raised concerns that the offensive would exacerbate the severe humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian sector after 22 months of war. Mediators have been awaiting the Israeli response to their latest ceasefire proposal for days, which Hamas accepted earlier this week. In addition, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Tel Aviv again on Saturday. Yotam Cohen, the brother of Nimrod, who is being held in Gaza, said, "Instead of saving lives, Netanyahu is sentencing the living hostages to death and causing the loss of those who have died forever." Of the 251 people who were taken to Gaza during the Hamas attack in 2023, 49 are still being held in the sector, including 27 who Israel says have died.