Likud ministers and ultra-Orthodox party urge PM to strike hostage deal

Likud ministers and the ultra-Orthodox Shas party have urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to finalise a hostage deal.

In addition, the two Likud ministers called to "immediately" fire Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for threatening to leave the coalition if a hostage deal is reached with Hamas.

"We believe that the conditions created now, following the appreciated military pressure and targeted killings, create an appropriate timing to reach a deal that preserves Israel's vital security interests and brings the hostages home," Shas said in a letter to the PM.

Meanwhile, Mossad chief David Barnea told a security cabinet meeting that young female hostages held by Hamas don’t have time to wait for a new hostage deal framework, according to unsourced leaks from the gathering that were widely reported by Hebrew media outlets. It was not clear why Barnea focused specifically on the women.

The calls come as the rift between Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant is reaching a peak in light of the current hostage negotiation.

Gallant believes, as do all other senior defence establishment figures, that this is a critical time for a hostage deal, and that Netanyahu's delays stem solely from political considerations.

Such delays have prompted families of those still captive in Gaza to decline offers to accompany Netanyahu to Washington to speak at the US Congress next week.

Their decision follows several unsuccessful attempts to convince Netanyahu to finalise a hostage deal before his speech.

After their failed efforts, they are now appealing to a returned hostage, Noa Argamani, who has agreed to join the delegation not to go ahead with his visit. "We will find ourselves in the absurd situation of protesting against you, and we wouldn't want that," the families said.

READ MORE

Likud ministers, Shas call on Netanyahu to reach hostage deal amid far-right opposition (Haaretz)

Urging deal, Mossad chief said to warn time running out for young female hostages (Times of Israel)

An 'escalation of measures': Netanyahu, Gallant's rift peaks amid hostage talks (Haaretz)

'Noa, he is using you': Families prepare to protest Netanyahu's congress speech, pleading rescued hostage not to join (Haaretz)

Netanyahu: 'Hostages are suffering but they are alive' (Jerusalem Post)

RELATED STORIES

Netanyahu is playing dumb on his October 7 failures. Don't believe him (Haaretz)
Netanyahu has done everything in his power to avoid an official government investigation of the intelligence, operational and leadership failures that took place on October 7, leaving him free to weave his own narrative – and evade responsibility.

Netanyahu pleads ignorance in meeting with families of slain surveillance soldiers (Times of Israel)
In recordings, PM heard saying he didn’t know the female troops at Nahal Oz base raised alarms before October 7, had no idea they were unarmed; refuses to commit to state inquiry.

Netanyahu rejects calls for immediate inquiry into 7 October security failures (Guardian)
PM tells parliament he wants to ‘beat Hamas’ before investigation into deadliest attack in Israel’s history.