Netanyahu: Agreement with Hamas Does Not Include 'Release of Killers' from Israeli Prisons

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, announced on Wednesday that the hostage deal does not include the 'release of killers.' Netanyahu attributed the success of this agreement to a combination of Israel's 'extensive and relentless military pressure' on Hamas and Israel's 'heavy' diplomatic pressure for the release of hostages held by this militant group. He added, 'We conducted difficult negotiations and worked to improve the agreement.' The Israeli Prime Minister also stated that he spoke with U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday and thanked him for acting on his request in negotiations with mediators for a significant improvement in the agreement. Netanyahu added, 'I believe that this combination of diplomatic and military efforts will enable the release of other hostages in later stages.' Most Israelis have welcomed this agreement, but some are concerned that those responsible for deadly attacks on Israelis may be among the list of Palestinians to be released from Israeli prisons. On Wednesday, the Israeli government published the cabinet's decision regarding the agreement to guarantee the release of nearly 50 hostages from about 240 hostages who were kidnapped during Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel on October 7. According to 'The Times of Israel,' this decision outlines the framework of the government-approved agreement and includes three appendices: a recommendation from National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, a classified document presented to the cabinet but not published, and a list of 300 Palestinian security prisoners eligible for release in this deal. According to this decision, all 300 Palestinian prisoners will only be released on the condition that 100 living hostages - Israeli citizens or Israeli residents - are released from Gaza and returned to Israel. This release will occur in two stages, each consisting of several phases. In the first stage, Israel will release 150 Palestinian prisoners after returning 50 hostages to Israel. This stage will be carried out in four phases, with at least 10 hostages released in each phase. The decision states, 'The first stage will last four days, during which there will be a ceasefire in the fighting.' In the second stage, if a maximum of 50 more hostages are returned to Israel, Israel will 'up to' release another 150 Palestinian security prisoners. According to this report, the same ratio of Palestinian prisoners to Israeli hostages from the first stage will continue, and each additional phase will include the release of at least 10 hostages. The statement notes, 'For each additional release of 10 hostages, an additional 24-hour ceasefire will occur in the fighting.' Again, in the second stage, prisoners will only be released when the hostages return to Israel. The statement adds, 'Immediately after the required ceasefire for the release of hostages ends, the war in the Gaza Strip will resume to eliminate the military and organizational capabilities of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza and to create conditions for the return of all hostages.' This decision allows Netanyahu's 'war cabinet,' Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Benny Gantz to decide on the identity of the released prisoners at each stage, derived from the provided list. They are also authorized to determine the timing of each phase. Additionally, they can decide on the end of the stages, and the entire exchange and ceasefire in attacks will be limited to a maximum of ten days from the end of the first phase. The decision states that Palestinian prisoners on the list who have not been released by the end of the exchanges will not be freed. After the names of the Palestinian prisoners are published, the people of Israel will be given a 24-hour deadline to appeal to the Supreme Court against this deal or the release of specific prisoners. Republican senators reacted to the continuation of the Gaza war and the attacks by the Islamic Republic's proxies on American positions. Behrouz Yousian: 'I oppose a ceasefire in the war because it allows Hamas to exploit it against Israel.' Jake Sullivan: 'If the Islamic Republic's proxies continue their attacks, they will receive a clear response.' In the U.S. attack on the Islamic Republic's proxy militants in Iraq, 9 were killed. The 'United Against a Nuclear Iran' organization expressed concern over the implications of the hostage release agreement with Hamas.