Speaking at a joint press conference with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant, Netanyahu made statements regarding the prisoner exchange agreement.
“THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT COVER THOSE WHO KILL ISRAELIANS”
Netanyahu stated that the Red Cross Organization will visit other prisoners who are not covered by the prisoner exchange agreement and provide medicine. Netanyahu stated that this was included in the agreement articles and hoped that the Organization would fulfill its duty.
“This agreement will not cover those who kill Israelis.” Netanyahu said that, as prime minister, he faced difficult choices regarding the captives and that he spent all his time trying to get the captives to return to Israel.
Stating that Israel has managed to save captives through military operations throughout its history, Netanyahu said, “However, this is not always successful, so we did not wait and take every opportunity to release our hostages.” he said.
“THE ARMY WILL CONTINUE TO BE READY FOR WAR”
Noting that the security institutions and the Israeli army approved the prisoner exchange agreement, Netanyahu said, “Our security forces will ensure its security during the temporary ceasefire period, while the intelligence effort will continue and the army will continue to be ready for war.” he said.
“I want to be clear.” Netanyahu said:
“The war will continue until we achieve all our goals, which are to destroy Hamas and take back all our hostages. On the day after the war, it will be guaranteed that no elements that support terrorism will rule Gaza. Gaza will not pose a threat to Israel’s future. Political and military efforts “The necessary conditions have matured for the return of the hostages. I believe that this situation will also enable the release of more hostages in the following stages.”
STATEMENT FROM ISRAEL ABOUT THE POWER EXCHANGE: ‘IT WILL NOT HAPPEN BEFORE FRIDAY’
Chairman of the Israeli National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, made a statement regarding the prisoner exchange process, which is expected to come into effect on Thursday.
Stating that the negotiations for the release of the captives are “making steady progress”, Hanegbi said: “The release will begin according to the original agreement between the parties and will not happen before this Friday.” he said.
FAMILIES WERE NOT INFORMED
The Israeli press evaluated the announcement as a “delay”. In the news of Israeli state television KAN, it was stated that “The families of Israeli prisoners were not informed about the delay in the implementation of the agreement before the announcement was made to the press.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said in the program he attended on Israeli Army Radio that the first group of Israeli prisoners would be taken over on November 23 within the scope of the agreement.
Israeli state television had also announced that the first group of Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip would be released as of 10:00 on Thursday.
In addition, the Head of Hamas’ International Relations Office, Musa Abu Marzouk, announced that the reconciliation with Israel, which will provide a humanitarian pause to the conflict, will begin at 10:00 on November 23.
Source: AA
