Gantz tells Blinken world must back increased pressure on Hamas as hostage deal stalls

National Unity party leader Benny Gantz tells US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that the world needs to support increased military pressure on Hamas in Gaza as a hostage deal appears to stall.

Gantz, who met the US diplomat on the sidelines of a Washington conference, says his opposition party is willing to give Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a political safety net to reach a deal, with his far-right coalition partners threatening to bolt the government.

“After months in which Hamas has not accepted the framework, we expect the world to back Israel to increase the civilian and military pressure in Gaza,” Gantz says according to a readout he issued from the meeting.

“That is what brought about the first hostage deal and that is what will speed up the defeat of Hamas,” he says.