Israeli president gives “full support” to captive-prisoner exchange deal

In a post on X, Israeli President Isaac Herzog has extended thanks to US President Biden, who outlined a new Gaza ceasefire and captive-prisoner exchange proposal.

“I want to thank President Biden for his speech and his ongoing efforts to bring about the release of all the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza,” according to the message posted on X, Al Jazeera reports.

“In this context, I told Prime Minister that I will give him and the government my full support for a deal which will see the release of the hostages. We must not forget that according to Jewish tradition, there is no greater commandment than redeeming captives and hostages - especially when it comes to Israeli citizens who the State of Israel was not able to defend and protect. It is our inherent obligation to bring them home within the framework of a deal that preserves the security interests of the State of Israel,” the message says.

Herzog pledged he would fully back the government in striking a deal to release the captives, a task he said is Israel’s “inherent obligation”.

Netanyahu is under intense pressure over the deal unveiled by Biden, which sets out a three-stage plan for a ceasefire, the return of Israeli captives in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a Gaza reconstruction plan.

The families of Israeli captives and many of Netanyahu’s Western allies are urging him to go forward with the deal, but his far-right coalition allies virulently oppose it.