Israeli cabinet minister and former military chief Gadi Eizenkot has warned that a lightning raid to free the dozens of Israeli hostages in Gaza is highly unlikely to succeed, and a deal involving a significant pause in fighting is urgently needed to ensure their release alive. Senior IDF officials have informed the New York Times that a war to dismantle Hamas would cost the hostages' lives and lead to a massive loss of civilian life. Ken Roth relayed Eizenkot's message that only a ceasefire deal could secure the hostages' release, suggesting that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is prolonging the war to avoid a political reckoning.
"To eradicate Hamas, the military would have to engage in a lengthy war that would most likely cost the hostages’ lives." That's fine with Netanyahu who wants to keep the war going (despite the massive loss of civilian life) to avoid a political reckoning. https://t.co/dkvueRQeNX
⚡ Senior IDF officials told the New York Times: “A war to dismantle Hamas will cost the lives of the Israeli hostages.” https://t.co/wCxlFD5jvC
🇮🇱ISRAELI WAR CABINET MEMBER: NO CEASEFIRE, NO HOSTAGES Gadi Eisenkot, ex-Israeli army chief: "The hostages will only return alive if a deal is linked to a significant pause in fighting. Israel needs to ask itself... How do we continue from here with a leadership that has… https://t.co/PBtMyGTIDC https://t.co/ReyrwkhP2x
"Only a cease-fire deal can win the release of dozens of hostages" held by Hamas. "Claims they could be freed by other means" are spreading “illusions,” said ex army chief Eisenkot. But Netanyahu needs to keep the war going to avoid a political reckoning. https://t.co/U2wEJveQMT
A deal will be needed to ensure captives still held in the Gaza Strip are released alive, says Israeli war cabinet minister and former military chief Gadi Eizenkot https://t.co/5gHhzJ56Zp https://t.co/YggRsXerEz
A lightning raid to free Israeli hostages in Gaza is extremely unlikely to succeed and a deal will soon be needed if they are to be released alive, Israeli cabinet minister and former military chief Gadi Eizenkot said. #Hamas | #IsraelHamasWar https://t.co/NhYWMa197T