Netanyahu Accused of Delaying Hostage Deal, Potentially Jeopardizing Lives

An investigation suggests that a comprehensive deal to release hostages held by Hamas could have been reached as early as the summer of 2024, or even earlier, but decisions by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly slowed the process. While Netanyahu's office denies that any viable deal was rejected due to Israeli actions, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claimed credit for keeping hostages in Israel, evidence points to a different narrative. Former IDF General Nitzan Alon stated that "we could have brought all the hostages home, perhaps a year earlier." In July 2024, Hamas submitted an updated response to an Israeli proposal, which senior Israeli officials described as "constructive" and capable of bridging key gaps. However, then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reported that the Israeli government did not provide its official response for nearly three weeks, until July 28th. During this delay, Axios reported that Netanyahu hardened his demands, raising concerns that negotiations might collapse. An "clarification document" released by the Prime Minister's office on July 27th introduced new conditions not present in the May proposal, including the IDF's presence along the Philadelphi Axis, checks for Palestinians moving north, a specific list of hostages for the first stage of release, and the expulsion of released Palestinian prisoners abroad. The delay is particularly concerning as six hostages, whose names appeared on the July document's release list, were murdered by Hamas in a tunnel in Rafah in late August 2024. A senior security official noted that the document was "drenched in the blood of the six hostages murdered." While it's impossible to definitively prove that the delay caused their deaths, they were alive and on the release list when negotiations stalled, only to be murdered weeks later. An estimated 41 hostages believed to have been alive when captured have since died in captivity. The deal eventually signed in January 2025, largely based on the May framework, included 110 additional prisoners serving life sentences compared to earlier proposals, according to Gallant. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Smotrich had vehemently opposed earlier deals, with Smotrich threatening to dissolve the government if an operation in Rafah was halted. Reports indicate that in April 2024, Smotrich threatened to bring down the government over a proposed six-week ceasefire that would have freed around 30 hostages, leading Netanyahu to reduce the negotiation team's mandate. Ben-Gvir also boasted of repeatedly thwarting deals through political pressure. Gallant stated in October that the fear of the government falling due to threats from Ben-Gvir and Smotrich caused delays in hostage returns. Earlier opportunities for a deal may have been missed as well, with security officials requesting an expanded mandate in March 2024, which Netanyahu reportedly refused. Even as early as October 2023, an offer for a swift deal was allegedly dismissed by Netanyahu's diplomatic advisor. Former War Cabinet member Benny Gantz also claimed Netanyahu systematically delayed progress on hostage deals from the outset. Alon suggested that the cabinet and political leadership refused earlier, comprehensive deals in pursuit of an unattainable "absolute victory," driven by strategic, political, and personal considerations. Gallant indicated that the reasons for refusing deals were not military, as the loss of hostages is irreversible, unlike a withdrawal from Philadelphi.