Outrage in Israel

Minister: “Do not sacrifice war aims for hostages”

Minister Orit Strock during a parade on the occasion of the Jewish Purim festival in the West Bank(Bild: APA/AFP/HAZEM BADER)

The negotiations with the radical Islamic group Hamas are turning into a crucial test for Israel's government. Right-wing extremist sections of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government are refusing to make too many concessions. Settlement Minister Orit Strock has now caused great outrage.

Israel's war aims should not be sacrificed for the return of a small number of hostages, the 64-year-old told the Israeli army radio station on Wednesday. For these war aims, "soldiers were sent into battle, some of these soldiers have not returned", said the politician from the Religious Zionism party.

According to media reports, the latest proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza war provides for the release of 33 hostages in return for several hundred Palestinian prisoners. There was even talk of a one-year ceasefire. Strock spoke of a "terrible deal" that also endangered the hostages who were not part of it.

Cabinet members threaten to end the government
The war aims could not be "thrown in the bin in order to save 22 or 33 people". A government that approved such a deal had "no right to exist". Other far-right ministers had also threatened to end the government if a hostage deal was made and the offensive in the city of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip was called off.