From the Liveblog of
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Ben Gvir on release of Hamas hostages in truce deal: ‘The eyes weep from happiness… but the heart tightens’
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
“The eyes weep from happiness with the return of Daniella, Naama, Karina, and Liri,” says Otzma Yehudit party chair Itamar Ben Gvir in response to the release of the four surveillance soldiers from their 15 months of captivity in Gaza.
“But the heart tightens with the footage that humiliates the State of Israel, in light of the irresponsible deal,” continues Ben Gvir in an apparent reference to how Hamas paraded the four women through a Gaza City square before releasing them. Ben Gvir voted against the hostage release deal and quit the government after it approved the deal.
“Welcome home to the returnees. But if we do not destroy Hamas, the next October 7 is at the doorstep. We must resume the war. And destroy.”
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