Betzalel Smotrich shared his thoughts on the release ceremony held by Hamas prior to the transfer of hostages to the Red Cross. He expressed the collective emotion felt by Israelis upon the return of Arbel, Agam, and Gadi, stating, “At this time, we are all moved together by the return home of Arbel, Agam, and Gadi. Despite grave concerns about the deal’s costs, there’s no one in Israel whose heart isn’t filled with endless joy to see them with us again.”
Smotrich also criticized the scenes from Gaza, emphasizing that such brutality must not become the norm. He remarked, “The images from Gaza cannot be the norm. These are bloodthirsty predators fueled by deep-seated hatred for Israel. If we don’t eliminate them, they will continue to threaten and eliminate us.”
In conclusion, he reinforced his stance on the necessity of fighting until Hamas is eradicated, saying, “We cherish life and peace and cannot leave our children with a reality where such monsters live close and endanger them. We must keep fighting until Hamas is destroyed entirely.”
Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu also condemned the distressing footage. He expressed his outrage, saying, “I view the shocking images during our hostages’ release with extreme severity. It’s yet another testament to the unimaginable cruelty of the terrorist organization Hamas.” Netanyahu further stated, “I demand the mediators ensure such horrific scenes are never repeated, and the safety of our hostages guaranteed. Anyone who dares harm our hostages will bear the consequences.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
Isn’t that a tad narrow? The enthusiasm and appreciation of the ‘Olam might be praiseworthy too. I agree with him generally, since the game has not been fully won yet, and maybe the freed persons need some protection too.