Israeli opposition leader Benny Gantz has urged Israel to take “courageous actions” in response to US President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to release captive Israelis from Gaza prior to his inauguration.
Trump made the statement, saying “there will be hell to pay” if captives held in Gaza are not released. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed the remarks, calling them “refreshing” and “morally sound.” Smotrich also emphasized that Israel should increase pressure on Hamas and its supporters to secure the release of hostages.
Around 250 people were taken captive by Palestinian fighters during an attack in southern Israel last October. About 105 were released as part of a ceasefire deal, but many remain held.
The situation remains volatile, with both sides reporting ceasefire violations. US envoy Amos Hochstein is calling for patience and time to allow the monitoring mechanism to start working.
Recent attacks have targeted civilians in Gaza City and Beit Lahiya, resulting in at least eight deaths and dozens of injuries. The Israeli military has also carried out raids across the West Bank, detaining several Palestinians and killing a few others.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/12/3/live-israeli-forces-kill-11-in-south-lebanon-order-new-gaza-displacement