From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Ex-defense minister Gallant: National considerations prevailed over political interests
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant welcomes the ceasefire and hostage release deal, declaring that “national and security considerations have prevailed over political interests” and that he supports the government “in making the right decision ethically, politically and morally.”
“Thank you to the outgoing US Administration and incoming US President Trump, for putting pressure on all parties and securing an agreement for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza,” he says. “The State of Israel is committed to returning all the hostages home — we must continue taking every measure necessary to fulfill this mission swiftly.
“Tonight, I salute those who paid the price to make this agreement possible: our courageous troops and service-members; the wounded and the fallen heroes who fought fiercely against a brutal enemy and created the conditions necessary to bring our people home,” he adds.
