Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has emphasized the urgency of converting the military pressure Israel has exerted into a deal to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza. Speaking to the families of the captives, Gallant assured them that the entire defense establishment is focused on this objective, according to Times of Israel.
"The return of the hostages is the primary goal," he stated, highlighting the need to capitalize on the current situation created by Israel's military actions. Gallant expressed confidence that the military pressure has set favorable conditions for negotiating a deal. He also noted that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are prepared to pause and resume combat operations as required to facilitate the process.
Gallant's remarks come in the wake of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement, in which he asserted that Israel would not agree to any deal with Hamas unless it ensured that the IDF could resume fighting after the initial phase of the agreement. Netanyahu's stance, articulated on the eve of renewed negotiations, has been perceived by some critics as an attempt to derail the progress of the talks.
Gallant, however, stressed the importance of seizing the opportunity presented by the military pressure to advance a deal and cautioned against missing this critical window. He reaffirmed the commitment of Israel's defense forces to achieve the safe return of the hostages, reflecting the government's broader strategy of leveraging military gains for diplomatic outcomes.
The defense minister's comments underline the delicate balance Israel is trying to maintain between exerting military pressure and engaging in negotiations, aiming to secure the hostages' release while being prepared to respond militarily if necessary.