Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs Responds to Security Officials' Claims

Yossi Fuchs, the Secretary of the Government and the Political-Security Cabinet, has publicly responded for the first time to claims made by senior security officials. These officials reportedly stated that all hostages could have been returned earlier in the war. Fuchs countered that such a move would have necessitated a complete withdrawal of the IDF from the Gaza Strip and a commitment not to re-engage in fighting.

Fuchs stated that he participated in all high-level discussions since October 7th and supported the ongoing efforts led by the Prime Minister, with assistance from President Trump, to secure the return of all hostages. He expressed his strong displeasure at hearing claims from senior security officials, who were present in those same discussions, suggesting that an earlier hostage release was possible, especially during the recent memorial days.

According to Fuchs, these officials are aware of the conditions that were set for an earlier, comprehensive hostage release. He detailed these conditions as a full IDF withdrawal from Gaza, including the Philadelphi Corridor, and international guarantees that Israel would not resume hostilities. Fuchs asserted that these senior officials know well that meeting these terms would have meant a victory for Hamas and a defeat for Israel following the October 7th massacre.

Fuchs attributed the current situation in Gaza and the successful return of hostages to the Prime Minister's management of the campaign. He stated that due to the Prime Minister's correct handling of the war, Israel now maintains a deep security zone in Gaza with dozens of outposts in enemy territory, including the Philadelphi Corridor. He added that living hostages have returned home, the fallen have been brought to burial, and the communities of the Gaza envelope have resumed farming, with IDF outposts now in place of Hamas tunnels.