Israeli far-right Minister Ben-Gvir says idea of prisoner swap with Hamas "could bring disaster"
Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has criticized the proposed prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, stating that it "could bring disaster."
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Speaking to Israel's Channel 14 television, Ben-Gvir commented on the potential prisoner exchange deal.
Regarding the expected agreement, Ben-Gvir stated, "I am troubled by this because they are talking about a deal that could bring disaster upon us."
Noting that there are disagreements within the government regarding the prisoner swap, the Israeli minister said, "I am troubled because once again we are divided, once again we are not being told the truth, and once again we are being pushed aside."
Recalling the 2011 prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, Ben-Gvir said, "In exchange for Gilad Shalit, we released Hamas's Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar, and we brought this problem upon ourselves. The rumors are that Israel is about to make a very big mistake once again, just as it did with the Shalit deal."
The Israeli minister criticized the potential prisoner swap deal, saying, "At first they talked about a deal involving 80 people, then they reduced that number to 70, and now to 50. They said they would not allow the entry of food and fuel, and now they are accepting that as well."
50 ISRAELIS TO BE RELEASED IN EXCHANGE FOR 150 PALESTINIANS
According to reports in the Israeli media, the potential prisoner exchange deal involves Hamas releasing 50 Israeli women and children held in its custody in exchange for the release of approximately 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons.
According to the agreement, which includes a 3 to 5-day "humanitarian pause" in the fighting in Gaza with the possibility of extension, humanitarian aid and fuel will be delivered to Gaza.
Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari had stated regarding the humanitarian pause in the fighting in the Gaza Strip, "We are at the closest point we have ever been to reaching an agreement."
Hamas Political Bureau member Izzat al-Rishq also stated in a morning announcement, "It is now up to Qatar. They will announce the expected ceasefire agreement with Israel. The details of the agreement will be announced in the coming hours."
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE 2011 PRISONER SWAP
Within the framework of the prisoner exchange agreement made by Hamas with Israel through Egyptian mediation on October 11, 2011, 1,027 Palestinian prisoners were released in exchange for one Israeli soldier (Gilad Shalit).
However, Israel later re-arrested some of the released Palestinians and reinstated their previous sentences.