Likud minister says he believes the hostage deal will still ‘be realized’

Likud Minister Israel Katz reacts to the delay in implementing the hostage deal, saying dealing with Hamas obviously has its challenges.

“You have to remember who we’re working with — [Hamas chief Yiyha] Sinwar, an insane man who gave orders to kill, rape, abuse,” Katz tells Army Radio. “We’re ready for any possibility. Right now the assumption is that the deal will be realized.”

Katz responds to the fact that family members of the hostages said they found out about the delay from the media, claiming that “the connection with and treatment of the family members is all-encompassing. It seems that after the press conference [by Netanyahu, Gallant and Gantz] Tzachi Hanegbi wanted to express a development, and it was important from a diplomatic and strategic point to clarify that — it’s likely that there was no opportunity to update the families in that moment.”