Gallant says pursuing hostage deal is right thing to do, Israel equipped to deal with accompanying risks

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says that IDF troops operating in Gaza have created a “limited window of opportunity” for Israel to pursue a deal with Hamas in order to facilitate the return of the 120 hostages held by the terror group.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Israel National Defense College, Gallant says that “the determined actions of the security system have created the conditions for the return of the hostages.”

“A limited window of opportunity will open before us to fulfill our moral and ethical duty to return the hostages,” he says. “The conditions that will be created as a result of the deal will advance our national and security interests, and regarding the risks that may arise — the IDF and security forces know how to overcome them.”

He adds that pursuing a hostage deal alongside the military operation in Gaza to destroy Hamas’s capabilities is the “worthy, right and necessary” thing to do.