Israel To Support Agreement With Hamas To Release Hostage

JAKARTA - Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he would support any agreement with Palestinian warrior group Hamas to secure the process of releasing Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip.

"I repeat that I will fully support any agreement that will lead to the release of the hostages and safeguard Israel's security interests," Herzog said in a statement on his X account, reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Tuesday, June 4.

Last week, US President Joe Biden said that Israel submitted a ceasefire agreement consisting of three stages.

The proposal is expected to end hostilities in Gaza and secure the process of releasing Israelis held hostage by Hamas in the enclave.

Three stages in the proposal include a ceasefire, an exchange of Israelis held hostage with Palestinians detained in Tel Aviv prisons, as well as Gaza reconstruction.

However, Washington and Tel Aviv have disagreements over the proposal.

On Monday (3/6), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was not prepared to stop the war in Gaza.

He also claimed Biden's statement about the ceasefire's proposal was "inaccurate."

Itamar's right-wing National Security Minister Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatened to overthrow the government if Netanyahu approved Biden's ceasefire plan.

Hamas is believed to have held more than 120 Israelis hostage in Gaza, including an undisclosed number of bodies, according to Israeli data.

Israel has continued its brutal attacks on Gaza since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 despite UN Security Council resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire.

More than 36,500 Palestinians have died in Gaza, mostly women and children. Meanwhile, nearly 83,000 others were injured, according to local health authorities.

During nearly eight months of Israel's war, much of Gaza's territory was devastated and exacerbated by the limited access to food, clean water, and medicines.

Israel is accused of committing genocide at the International Court, which in its latest ruling has ordered Tel Aviv to immediately stop its operations in Rafah.

The city, which is located in southern Gaza, was used as a shelter for more than 1 million Palestinians, before being attacked by Israeli forces on May 6.