Israel should pay the price of a "year or two-year-long" ceasefire in Gaza for the return of all the hostages taken by Hamas, MK Benny Gantz said in an interview with Channel 12 on Thursday.
The National Unity faction leader, who spoke following his resignation from the emergency war government on Sunday, said that Israel "must do whatever it takes to return the hostages."
Gantz, while interviewed by KAN, spoke about the Bibas family, who were kidnapped on October 7 and held hostage, among them Shiri and Yarden and their two children, four-year-old Ariel and one-year-old Kfir.
"I think Israel knows what happened to the members of the Bibas family. The public will know when it will be possible to verify things," Gantz noted.
Gantz does round of interviews with Israeli news channels
These statements come amid Gantz's interviews with KAN, Channel 12, Channel 13, and Channel 14.
In his interview with Channel 14, Gantz explained why he didn't stay in Netanyahu's emergency government after putting aside political differences.
"Since my influence was subject to Netanyahu, I initially had no problem serving Israel in the broadest possible way."
Gantz then confirmed that Netanyahu blocked his own hostage deal proposal, stating, "He approved a plan to return hostages and did nothing to promote it due to political considerations. Netanyahu did not advance the matter strongly enough."
Addressing the deadlock with Hamas, Gantz noted, "Hamas rejected the Israeli proposal. Despite this, We need to do everything to move the plan forward." He emphasized the complexity of dealing with Hamas, remarking, "The fact is that there was a plan to bring hostages home, but Hamas stopped it."
Gantz also highlighted the role of international actors, saying, "There needs to be pressure on Qatar and Egypt, and we need to seize the moment when we can make a plan. Otherwise, the price will be higher. It is necessary to understand that the hostages need to return home."
Discussing the possibility of elections, he stated, "The only way to succeed in meeting all the challenges is for the public to renew the trust between the people and their elected officials. Elections are the solution."
He refuted claims of being a mouthpiece for the Biden administration, saying, "I am not an envoy of the US government; stop inventing such claims." With that, he also expressed regret that Netanyahu did not utilize his connections with the Americans, noting, "They [in the US] were impressed with how I am more militant than Netanyahu.
Reflecting on the day after a potential resolution, Gantz said, "Palestinian forces will receive international support. We told Netanyahu that we needed to deal with the day after because it is a complex matter that wont solve itself. The fact that we didn't deal with it only delayed the security. Meanwhile, a vacuum and chaos will be created, and the soldiers will continue to fight."
When questioned about his role in the events of October 7, Gantz responded, "I was part of the security leadership under Netanyahu all these years in the war against Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and even now. Forty-something years for the State of Israel, that's how I see my responsibility." He also addressed the appointment of military leaders, saying, "My appointments made grave mistakes on October 7. Despite their mistake, they fought exceptionally. I trust them. Absolutely, yes."
Clarifying his commitment to an investigation, Gantz stated, "I am part of Israel's security apparatus. I didn't run away from responsibility. Everyone, including me, needs to be investigated. I will never run away from responsibility."
Finally, addressing future political plans, Gantz stated, "The political map will change after the next elections. We will need to form a true unity government. I don't want to make calculations that can't be made. Netanyahu cannot be prime minister. I can be prime minister."
The Likud responded prior to Gantz's interview, stating, "It is unfortunate that Gantz decided to sit in TV studios tonight instead of in the cabinet, which continues to do everything to return the hostages and eliminate Hamas."
The National Unity party responded to the Likud's statements, saying, "What is unfortunate is that Netanyahu continues to sit for discussions without making strategic decisions that would return our hostages, return the residents of the North home, and eliminate Hamas."
"Discussions do not win - only actions," National Unity's statement concluded.
Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich responded to Gantz's interview in a statement to X, noting, "Gantz's statements in favor of ending the war are shameful and surrender to Sinwar and moral and national bankruptcy."
"In front of the tired generals stand the courageous soldiers who continue to fight bravely and will bring victory to the people of Israel and the return of the hostages," his statement concluded.
האמירות של גנץ בעד סיום המלחמה הם כניעה מבישה לסינוואר ופשיטת רגל מוסרית ולאומית.מול הגנרלים שהתעייפו, עומדים הלוחמים עזי הנפש שממשיכים להילחם בגבורה ויביאו לעם ישראל את הניצחון ואת החזרת החטופים כולם.
— בצלאל סמוטריץ' (@bezalelsm) June 13, 2024