Israel Accepts Compromise Proposal in Qatar
Israel willing to release over 700 prisoners, many convicted of murder, for 40 Israelis
The Jerusalem Post is reporting that Israel has agreed to release over 700 prisoners in return for the release by the enemy in Gaza of 40 Israelis, citing “Israeli officials”. Reportedly, 40 hostages will be freed in return for 700 prisoners held by Israel. The prospect of freedom for some of the captives held for almost six months by the perpetrators of the crimes of October 7, will be a source of hope and relief for the families that have been praying and marching for their release.
The prisoners Israel has agreed to release reportedly include many serving life sentences for murdering Israelis. The horribly high price being paid will anger everyone who cares about Israel and about Jewish lives. But this is the cruel calculus imposed on us by the lawless enemy which Israel is fighting in Gaza.
There was some concern that the release of Hamas killers might threaten the stability of the government, as some leaders have warned that they would not support the release of convicted murderers in return for innocent hostages.
The news followed another Saturday night of large demonstrations by Israelis demanding a hostage deal and, separately, criticizing the government and calling for early elections.
Divisions Over Haredi Draft Law
Israel’s government appeared to be at risk of disarray as the government tries to advance a law that would codify the exemption of Torah scholars in the Haredi community from Israel’s military draft. This would fulfill a promise that was given to the ultra-Orthodox parties when the governing coalition was assembled after the last election.
The National Unity faction led by Benny Gantz has said it would leave the wartime emergency government if the law is passed. Defence minister Yoav Gallant of the governing Likud has declared that he won’t support a draft law that doesn’t have the support of all the parties in the emergency government, indicating that the law may not have sufficient support to pass
Meanwhile Israel’s Attorney General says that she won’t be able to defend the law before the courts. The law is meant to resolve a decades old finding from the courts that Israel’s draft law is unfair and must be rewritten, but the AG is reporting that this law will not resolve the inequity in the system which the courts have ordered the government to fix.
Gallant Heads to Washington
Israeli defense minister Gallant was to leave for Washington today in response to an invitation from American Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. According to Times of Israel, Gallant will have a shopping list of military hardware and ammunition. The relationship between the US and Israeli military is said to be close in spite of political differences between the US Administration and the Netanyahu government over the way Israel is conducting the war in Gaza
Image: Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant — Image from AllIsrael.com
It is expected that American ideas on ways to defeat Hamas without a large scale operation in Rafah will also be discussed during Gallant’s visit. Differences between the Israeli government and the US Administration over the plans for a Rafah incursion, which PM Netanyahu says is essential to defeat Hamas, have been aired increasingly in public in recent days.
Fighting Continues in Gaza
The news of Israel’s concessions first appeared to be news of an agreement, but it’s now clear that the response from Hamas will take days and may not be positive. Meanwhile, Israel continues to operate in a number of theaters in Gaza. The week long operation in Shifa Hospital appears to have led to the surrender of hundreds of fighters and the capture of senior commanders.
In Khan Younis, Israel is operating in another neighbourhood that it had previously left and has reportedly surrounded large numbers of the enemy in doing so. Progress on the ground will continue unless and until a ceasefire is agreed, in spite of international pressure and posturing by international leaders.
The New York Times published this thoughtful piece of analysis which asks critics the question “What Would You Have Israel Do?” and then weighs in on the difficult challenges facing Israel as a result of the war.
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thanks for keeping us up-to-date - this was well worth the read.