Quotes
There is no other way to release the hostages, and from within Israeli society, that was very important,
the retired Major General said We are dealing with this deal [for] more than a year, and both sides tried to achieve the best deal for themselves,
retired Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Major General Yaakov Amidror said in a discussion with reporters Thursday afternoon Many people don't like it, because it is clear that Israel is losing the ability to destroy Hamas, as we promised,
The best deal is the one which was not achieved,
Hamas is going to be able to claim that it survived,
No one can promise that Hamas will keep its word and execute the second stage,
Amos Harel, a military affairs columnist for the Israeli paper Haaretz, wrote on Friday We are against a deal like this. I’m not demonstrating against the families but against the government. It’s forbidden for a country to be run by the emotions of families. The families have the right to do whatever they think will bring their family members, but as a country, we can’t put in danger the security of the whole state.”
It’s a mix of emotions. Of course we are really glad that people are coming back home, but on the other hand, we don’t know their condition. And Evyatar is not on the first list. We are anxious because every day he stays there, he is in danger,
said Matan Eshet, 27, David’s cousin We need to continue this war … My best friend died a month ago [fighting] in Rafah. I ask myself now if it was for nothing,
The ministers who have been saying that they want to reject the deal, they’re a stain on the state of Israel, and they don’t represent the state of Israel... They must put all of our people above the politics."
As for the comments from Israeli ministers Mr Smotrich and Mr Ben-Gvir, she says We must go all the way with the ceasefire deal, no one should be left behind
Shay Dickmann, 29 - a fifth year medical student, whose cousins Carmel Gat and Yarden Gat were also captured on 7 October, speaking from Hostage Square, where families hold regular protests demanding the government bring their relatives home, tells The Independent This uncertainty is ripping families apart - there is a chance they could be all be released. If this opportunity is missed you have no idea how long will be until the next time”
Seeing people return is going to bring tears of joy,
says Alana Zeitchik, who has six family members seized by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Oz in the Hamas attack This is a vital step on the path to upholding the basic commitment a nation has to its citizens,
It is breaking my heart a little more, day by day. Soon there will be nothing left of my heart - or Emily."
Speaking to The Sun back in October, Mandy Damari, 63, said She’s one of our own, she’s one of our own, Emily Damari, bring Emily home!”
At a recent game, supporters carrying yellow balloons sang We ask our brothers in Hamas to communicate with mediators to end the war,
said Omar Jendiya, in Deir al-Balah We were expecting that the (Israeli) occupation would intensify the bombing, like they did every time there were reports of progress in truce talks,
said Mohammed Mahdi, who is sheltering in Gaza City After reviewing all the political, security and humanitarian aspects, and understanding that the proposed deal supports achieving the objectives of the war, (the security cabinet) has recommended that the government approve the proposed framework,
the office said in a statement If the "deal" passes, we will leave the government with a heavy heart.
He reiterated that on Friday, writing on social media platform X
