Smotrich clashes with Sa'ar on hostage deal

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar clashed openly today (Wednesday) over the question of whether Israel should stop the IDF operation for a hostage deal, with Smotrich opposed and Sa'ar in favor.

Earlier in the day, Smotrich said on X that: "Hamas is under pressure and in tremendous distress in recent days as a result of changing the aid distribution system and losing its control over the population in the Strip, combined with ongoing military pressure.

"We need to continue tightening the noose around its neck and force it into a complete surrender deal with all the hostages at once.

"It would be delusional folly to release pressure now and sign a partial deal with them that would give them oxygen and a lifeline and allow them to recover.

"I will not allow such a thing to happen. Period."

Sa'ar hit back on X, without mentioning Smotrich by name, saying that:

"11 days ago, Israel gave a positive response to the US proposal for a framework to release hostages. So far, Hamas has refused it. However, as long as there is a chance to release hostages - it is proper to do so and this is the desire of the absolute majority of the people in Israel. One must act according to national interests and not according to political pressures and threats."