Book Reveals Gadi Eisenkot Begged to Continue Hostage Deal Talks
Ruti Yovel, co-author of the book "Hostages - 843 Days of Abandonment," revealed details about the political maneuvering behind hostage negotiations. In an interview, Yovel discussed the first deal to release women and children, stating that then-Minister Bezalel Smotrich initially opposed halting combat. Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly convinced him to pause fighting for 10 days, a pause that lasted seven days and during which Hamas allegedly manipulated the process by claiming difficulty locating women and offering elderly men and deceased hostages instead.
According to the book, most members of the security cabinet, including then-IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Prime Minister Netanyahu, advocated for resuming military operations to "bring Hamas to its knees." Gadi Eisenkot was the sole voice urging for a continued negotiation pause to save more hostages. Yovel recounted that when Netanyahu asked if anyone else shared Eisenkot's view, Eisenkot "begged" to continue the talks.
Yovel contrasted the current deal's ratio of one hostage for three terrorists with the Gilad Shalit deal, which saw one hostage exchanged for 1,027 terrorists. Eisenkot reportedly told Netanyahu, "It's not important right now to educate Sinwar. I don't care if he thinks he tricked us and came out looking great and we're suckers. Let's be suckers by choice, let's return everyone we can and then continue fighting." Yovel added that Eisenkot expressed deep regret over this issue, noting that his son, Gal Meir Eisenkot, was later killed during a failed rescue attempt for deceased hostages.
The book's research involved extensive interviews with various figures, including Israeli political and security officials, negotiation teams, and activists, though many political figures declined to be quoted. The authors also spoke with American officials from both administrations, Qatari mediators, and even Hamas members. Yovel mentioned that Netanyahu and then-Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer were approached for interviews but did not respond.
The book also touches upon a warning from UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed to Netanyahu about potential repercussions before the October 7th attack. Additionally, it notes that Netanyahu spoke with the IDF Chief of Staff on the morning of October 7th only after a three-hour delay.
