Israel issues statement on 'new development' regarding prisoner swap

War Cabinet member Gantz made a statement on the matter during a press conference. Gantz expressed that "no stone has been left unturned" in the efforts to bring back the hostages abducted by Palestinians on October 7, 2023.

Cabinet member Gantz said, "There are efforts these days to reach a new agreement (regarding a prisoner swap), and there are initial signs that point to the possibility of progress. We will not stop looking for a way. We will not miss any opportunity to bring the girls and boys (consisting of Israeli hostages held in Gaza) back to their homes."

Stating that they will begin attacks in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, once the region is cleared of displaced Palestinians, Gantz said, "The importance of clearing Rafah lies in the ability to strike the Hamas forces operating there and the need to demilitarize the Gaza Strip."

THREAT THAT ATTACKS WILL CONTINUE

Gantz threatened that if an agreement on a prisoner swap cannot be reached, they will continue their attacks on the Gaza Strip during Ramadan.

Stating that they voted by a large majority in parliament today for a resolution opposing the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state, Gantz said, "It would be wrong to provide such support to terror (a Palestinian state) after October 7. Political solutions must be reached directly; otherwise, they will not be sustainable."

Gantz stated that Israel will maintain its superiority and its ability to conduct security operations throughout the entire Gaza Strip in any future scenario, and that their duty is to ensure 100 percent security control, outside of civilian administration.

Arguing that many parties could operate as civilians in the Gaza Strip but that Hamas cannot, Gantz said, "We will not allow the murderers to return and control the places where the Israeli army operates, and we are working on a series of options for aid to reach Gaza through an international administration consisting of moderate Arab countries with the support of the US."

Gantz said, "We are working to strengthen the moderate axis in the fight against Iran, to establish a regional administration that will help Palestinians create a new governance system in Gaza, and to ensure that investments are also directed toward changing the school curriculum, as our friends in the United Arab Emirates have done."

Gantz also spoke about the government's decisions to restrict Palestinian access to Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.

Gantz stated that they will work to ensure the largest possible number of people can enter Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.