Former Israeli minister: Current deal comes at higher price fewer hostages, more terrorists released

Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has said that the current deal is worse than the one that was on the table during the negotiations.

"We ended up with the same deal that was proposed in July. What changed? The reality is that Netanyahu listens to Trump more than to Itamar Ben-Gvir [Member of the Israeli Knesset]. During Biden’s presidency, the situation was different," Gallant said, Caliber.Az reports per Israeli media.

He added that "everything begins and ends with the question of who is currently in power in the United States."

"The deal is the same as the one in July, but at a much higher price. We’re getting fewer hostages and releasing 110 terrorists with blood on their hands," Gallant stated. 

Since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023, Israel’s military actions in Gaza have resulted in over 47,400 Palestinian deaths, the majority of which are women and children. 

More than 111,000 people have been injured, and thousands are still missing, as the region faces one of the most severe humanitarian disasters in recent history. The destruction in Gaza has led to widespread devastation, with many elderly and vulnerable individuals suffering amid the ongoing conflict.

In response to these events, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice related to its actions in Gaza.

Earlier, Israel released 110 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for three Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Five Thai workers held captive in the enclave were also freed in a separate deal with Thailand. The prisoner-for-hostage swap marked the third round of exchanges as a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas entered its second week.

Most of the prisoners stepped off the Red Cross bus and onto the shoulders of jubilant supporters in the occupied West Bank, where UN data shows that one in five Palestinians has passed through Israeli jail and the release of prisoners is a source of joyous national celebration — a homecoming in which almost all Palestinians felt they could partake. But 23 of them serving life sentences for more serious crimes were transferred to Egypt before further deportation. The released prisoners were all men, ranging in age from 15 to 69.

By Naila Huseynova