Warns Agreement On Hostages Could Be Boomerang, Israel's National Security Minister: We Were Not Notified

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. (Twitter/@itamarbengvir)

JAKARTA - Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir warned the potential agreement regarding hostages with the Hamas militant group could backfire, leveraging the release of hostages in 2011.

"I am very worried because there was talk of an agreement, we were not informed (of the details), and we were not told the truth," he said.

"Rumornya adalah Israel akan kembali membuat kesalahan besar serupa dengan kesepakatan Shalit (2011)," lanjutnya.

Ben-Gvir, whose actions have sparked controversy, said he was concerned about "a deal that might bring disaster", citing the possibility of the release of Palestinian prisoners, and allowing fuel into the Gaza Strip.

Citing JNS, in the Shalit deal, Israel released more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including Hamas leaders in Gaza Yahyah Sinwar, in exchange for the Israeli army in charge of Gilad Shalit.

Hamas has also reportedly asked Israel not to use reconnaissance drones during a potential ceasefire.

As previously reported, Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh and senior Israeli officials both reported on a possible ceasefire agreement and release of hostages, after the war in Gaza entered its seventh week.

In a statement sent to Reuters by his aide Tuesday, as quoted November 21, Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh said his party "almost reached a ceasefire agreement" with Israel, and the group has submitted its response to Qatar mediators.

There was no further explanation, but Hamas officials told Al Jazeera TV the negotiations were centered on how long the ceasefire would take, arrangements for aid deliveries to Gaza and Israeli hostage exchanges detained by Hamas with Palestinian prisoners in Israel.

Meanwhile, Channel 12 news television network, citing a senior Israeli official, said, "we are close to reaching an agreement" for the release of several hostages in Gaza.

Given that there are still technical issues to be resolved, the official said there was an agreement that at least 50 people would be released, while dozens more could be released in exchange for the extension of the ceasefire for more than a few days.

Those who will be released are thought to be children, their mother and other women, the report said.