Israel’s Gantz: Delaying negotiations benefits Hamas more than us

Former Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz said yesterday that “prolonging the deal and delaying negotiations serves Hamas, as it needs time to recover,” Ma’an reported.

He added that negotiations for the next phase should have started and concluded long ago.

“Everyone knows that spreading payments over time comes at a cost—the interest,” he said, “Therefore, it is in our best interest to pay a high price all at once.”

He further noted, “We have lost more than 30 hostages who were alive since the last deal, and every passing day puts the remaining hostages at even greater risk.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had refused to negotiate on the terms of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, calling on Hamas to make concessions before such talks. A move Hamas has rejected.

On Sunday, however, Netayahu’s office said a team would be sent to Qatar for talks this week.

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