Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity party and security cabinet member, made a statement regarding negotiations for releasing hostages. "Over the last few days, we have witnessed a trend of leaks on the subject of the hostage release process outline that are tormenting the families and the nation," said Gantz.
He added that the return of the hostages is a moral duty of the state. Still, it doesn't conflict with the commitment to remove the unrelenting threat of Hamas. "We will never give up this goal," stated the head of the National Unity party.
"I promise the families of the hostages and the entire public, just as we were able to make difficult decisions in the past, we will know how to make these difficult decisions in the future if there is a real outline on the table," Minister Gantz said.
On January 25, meetings of the two cabinets will take place. Firstly, the small war cabinet will assemble, followed by a meeting of the expanded security cabinet. Negotiations for the possible release of the kidnapped will be one of the topics on the agenda.
Earlier, Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich commented on reports suggesting the possibility of a long-term ceasefire as part of negotiations with Hamas. "A long-term cessation of hostilities would be a grave mistake," said Smotrich.
