From the Liveblog of
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Shas head urges Netanyahu to freeze Gaza deal until Hamas returns bodies
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. 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"
Shas chairman Aryeh Deri is urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt any steps being taken pursuant to Israel’s ceasefire deal with Hamas until the terror organization returns the rest of the bodies of hostages being held in the Gaza Strip.
“I demand from the prime minister and the government to immediately halt all parts of the agreement with Hamas, including the opening of the Rafah crossing, the entry of aid, and any associated action, until Hamas returns the bodies to us and cooperates fully and seriously on this matter,” Deri tweets, adding, “We are committed to bringing all our sons to a Jewish burial.”
While not a member of the government, Deri holds a seat as an observer on the high-level security cabinet.
The Hamas terror group has so far released nine out of 28 hostages whose bodies are in Gaza, with the bodies of 19 slain hostages yet to be returned.
Earlier today, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum called on the government to halt steps toward a ceasefire agreement ending the war in Gaza until the remaining bodies are returned.
“Hamas is violating the agreements,” the group said, asserting that “any diplomatic or military action that does not ensure their return is an abandonment of Israel’s civilians.”
The Times of Israel Community.