Israel defence minister says Gaza truce deal a 'strategic opportunity'
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant offered his support for a hostage release agreement in the first phase of a Gaza truce deal, saying it would give Israel a 'strategic opportunity' to address other security challenges.
FILE: Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant (L) and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attend a press conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv on 28 October 2023 amid ongoing battles between Israel and Hamas. Picture: AFP
TEL AVIV - Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant offered his support for a hostage release agreement in the first phase of a Gaza truce deal, saying it would give Israel a "strategic opportunity" to address other security challenges.
Bringing the hostages home is "the right thing to do", Gallant told foreign journalists.
"Achieving an agreement is also a strategic opportunity that gives us a high chance to change the security situation on all fronts," he said.
Israel, which has been at war with Palestinian militants in Gaza since Hamas's 7 October attack, is also engaged in near-daily clashes with Lebanon's Hezbollah movement on its northern border with Lebanon.
Urging the international community to keep up the pressure on Hamas to reach an agreement, Gallant said he firmly supported the first stage of a three-phase ceasefire deal announced by US President Joe Biden on 31 May, hoping to build on it for an eventual end to the war.
"Israel should achieve an agreement that will bring about a pause for six weeks and bring back hostages," Gallant told journalists at a sit-down on Monday at his office. His remarks were released for publication on Tuesday.
Gallant also said Hamas's military capabilities had been severely damaged after more than 11 months of war and that it no longer existed as a military formation in Gaza.
"Hamas as a military formation no longer exists. Hamas is engaged in guerrilla warfare and we are still fighting Hamas terrorists and pursuing Hamas leadership," he said.
His comments came as mediators the United States, Qatar and Egypt struggle to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza, which has killed nearly 41,000 people.
The widespread destruction has produced a dire humanitarian situation in the besieged territory, underscored by the recent confirmation of its first polio case in 25 years.