President Herzog Says Israel is Ready to Continue the Ceasefire and Release of Hostages

Israeli President Isaac Herzog and the hostages' families called for release. (Wikimedia Commons/Government Press Office/Kobi Gideon)

JAKARTA - President Isaac Herzog on Tuesday signaled Israel's readiness to enter a foreign-mediated ceasefire in Gaza, to continue the release of hostages and allow more aid to enter the enclave.

"Israel is ready for another humanitarian pause and additional humanitarian assistance to enable the release of the hostages," explained President Herzog, as reported by Reuters, December 20.

"And full responsibility lies with (Hamas leader Yahya) Sinwar and (other Hamas leaders)," he continued.

Quoting The National News, President Herzog's statement is a clear sign that he is at odds with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence that an aggressive military response is the best way to free the captives.

It is known that how best to free the approximately 130 hostages still in Gaza is an increasingly bitter political question in Israel, despite widespread domestic support for the country's war with Hamas.

The families of the captives have launched a massive campaign to demand their return. This movement has repeatedly accused the Israeli government of prioritizing its military goal of destroying Hamas, over the safety of the hostages.

Meanwhile, the government emphasized that the two goals went hand in hand and that a military campaign was the best way to free the prisoners.

The strategy was called into question last week after the Israeli military said it accidentally killed three Israeli hostages in Gaza, who had taken great pains to identify themselves as non-combatants.