Israeli war cabinet member calls for 'grand deal' to secure release of captives in Gaza
Israeli war cabinet observer minister Gadi Eisenkot has accused the country's leaders of "lying to themselves", saying they need to reach an agreement with Hamas in order to secure the release of captives still held in Gaza.
Eisenkot, whose son and nephew were both killed in fighting in Gaza, told the five-member cabinet that "we have to stop lying to ourselves, to show courage, and to lead to a large deal which will bring home the hostages," the Times of Israel reported on Monday.
"Your time is running out, and each day that passes endangers their lives," the retired general said.
According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant responded by telling Eisenkot that only continued pressure on Hamas would lead to another release of captives.