Herzog to government: Seal the hostage deal now, it’s your job

At a candle lighting ceremony with wounded soldiers in Tel Aviv, President Isaac Herzog presses the country’s political leadership to make the final push for a ceasefire-hostage deal in Gaza, saying the government will receive his full backing.

“The hostages are in clear and immediate danger,” he says. “I am calling on our leaders to act with all their power to reach a deal.”

“It’s your job, it’s your responsibility,” Herzog adds.

At the same time, Herzog concedes that Hamas is a “depraved enemy” that is trying to hurt Israel by employing “psychological maneuvers.”

Herzog’s largely titular role means he has little influence over negotiations, though the former lawmaker was involved in helping shepherd diplomatic contacts earlier in his term, including reaching a deal to free Israeli tourists who had been held by Turkey.