ISRAEL (IINO)
Netzach Yehuda Unit
Smotrich to PM: ‘Egyptian deal dangerous. If approved, this gov. has no right to exist’
Minister Bezalel Smotrich, attacked the Egyptian outline for a deal to release the hostages in exchange for a ceasefire that would prevent Israeli military entry into Rafah.
Apr 28, 2024, 4:09 PM (GMT+3) Israel National News – Chairman of the Religious Zionist Party, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, attacked the Egyptian outline for a deal to release the hostages in exchange for a ceasefire that would prevent Israeli military entry into Rafah.
Smotrich spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu in a videotaped message and said, “Mr. Prime Minister, all Egyptian mediation agreements that ended previous “rounds” of violence, leaving Hamas alive and kicking and enabling it to strengthen itself again and again, and massacre Israeli citizens in a way that has not happened since the Holocaust, is exactly what you have led to in the last two decades, and that is exactly, but exactly, what we have all promised not to do again.”
“Agreeing to the Egyptian deal is a humiliating surrender and existential danger. this deal grants victory to the Nazis despite the sacrifice of the hundreds of heroic IDF soldiers who fell in battle, it imposes a death sentence on the hostages who are not included in the deal, and above all – it poses an immediate existential danger to the State of Israel,” Smotrich stated.
He threatened the government’s integrity. “If you decide to wave a white flag and retract the order to immediately occupy Rafah, to complete the mission of destroying Hamas and restoring security to the residents of the south and the citizens of Israel and returning all our abducted brothers and sisters to their homes – your government will have no right to exist.”
“This is a critical moment for the people of Israel. The decision is in your hands. Take strength and courage from the story of the Exodus from Egypt and from Jewish history. From Moses and Nachshon ben Aminadav that tonight, 3,365 years ago, stood at the Red Sea, overcame the weaknesses that were displayed by parts of the nation, and determined the history of the Jewish people. Speak to the people of Israel and tell them to go to Rafah now. Go with all their might. Maybe now is the time for you, Mr. Prime Minister, to show your strength,” concluded Minister Smotrich.
Earlier today, the leading Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported that in recent days the US and Egypt have increased the pressure on Hamas to agree to a deal to release hostages in exchange for a ceasefire – to prevent Israeli military entry into Rafah.
According to the report, the Egyptian mediators made it clear to Hamas that this was the best deal they could get, and if it was not met, Israel would be able to enter Rafah legally.
It was also reported that Egypt would try to arrange a phased deal so that in its first phase, hostages would be released in exchange for a ceasefire – and issues such as the cessation of hostilities or the control of Gaza on the day after, would be postponed to a second phase and be discussed later on.
Journalist Barak Ravid reported last night that the new proposal for a deal includes significant concessions on Israel’s part, including an implied willingness to discuss ending the war, which has been included in a deal for the first time.
Among others, Hamas was offered: consent to the full return of displaced Palestinians to their homes, withdrawal of the IDF from the corridor that crosses Gaza, and, as mentioned, consent to a permanent cease-fire in the future.
An official who is in the know of the details of the negotiations said that the proposal includes the release of 33 hostages, including women, soldiers, the elderly, and the wounded, and on the other side, hundreds of terrorists found guilty of murder. According to the source, the duration of the ceasefire according to this deal would depend on the number of hostages to be released.
Related articles:
- A deal without invading Rafah is surrender to Hamas
- Egypt tells Hamas Rafah operation will be legitimate without deal
- Former Mossad director: ‘Bad’ deal – but it’s good
- ‘One last chance for hostage deal before Rafah invasion’
- ‘Defense Minister is delaying operation in Judea and Samaria’
- Smotrich: No exchanging hostages for ceasefire
- Religious Zionists to receive 7 seats if election was today
- Israel’s government begins normalizing 68 towns in Judea, Samaria
Beitar Illit synagogue goes up in flames
Synagogue catches fire on Friday night, nearby apartment suffers damage.
Apr 27, 2024, 10:29 PM (GMT+3) Israel National News – Firefighters and firefighting volunteers from the Judea regional fire station on Friday night worked to extinguish a fire which broke out in a synagogue on Rabbi Akiva Street in Beitar Illit.
An apartment near the synagogue was also affected, and the fire caused heavy damage to the property.
The firefighters succeeded in gaining control of both fires.
Firefighter Lihai Ben Lulu said, “At about midnight, we received a report regarding a building which was going up in flames on Rabbi Akiva Street. We immediately set out for the site, in large numbers. Upon arrival at the scene we identified a building which was used as a synagogue, adjacent to a residential apartment which was going up in flames.”
“The flames were licking stories above the source of the fire, and there was concern that it would spread to additional apartments. We immediately began acting to extinguish the flames, while at the same time searching for anyone trapped. An additional team ascended to the upper floors, ordered residents to close themselves in their homes, and worked to control the flames and release the heat and smoke. Upon extinguishing the flames, we searched once more in order to ensure there was no one trapped.”
Firefighter Tamir Erez, commander of the fire station, said, “Last Thursday, there was another fire in the city of Beitar Illit – a fire which ended without costing in lives, but with great damage to property. In this fire as well, no one was killed thanks to the firefighters’ efforts. I beg of you, install fire detectors – it saves lives.”
Related articles:
- ‘We must take immediate action to protect our citizens’
- Increase in demolition of illegal Arab construction
- Miracle: Tragedy prevented on eve of Sukkot holiday
- Beitar Illit fire was caused by children’s games
[Ed.: Just spoke with 2 friends in Beitar, both say no bet Knesset involved, only an apartment which was partially burned. So much for Israel National
News...]
Comedian protests Cabinet decision: ‘Commit rape and receive a state’
Comedian Guy Hochman protests against the decision of the War Cabinet to allow British observers to meet with Nukhba terrorists: ‘A knife in all of our backs.’
Apr 27, 2024, 10:33 PM (GMT+3) Israel National News – Comedian Guy Hochman, who performed for IDF soldiers during the initial months of the war and contributed to boosting morale, protested against the Cabinet’s decision to allow visits to Hamas’ elite Nukhba terrorists being held in Israeli prisons.
“Clearly, kill our children, rape our women – in return, you get a state. We don’t deal with Nazis. We exterminate them,” Hochman declared.
“Our brothers and sisters are going through rape and sexual assault, starvation and abuse, and do not receive medication. And the devilish Nukhba terrorists, in addition to pampering conditions, will enjoy visits and indulgences.”
“There is no limit to stupidity. There isn’t even a strategic element here. Three months ago the Prime Minister asked that Red Cross representatives would visit the hostages. The Cabinet’s current decision is a knife in our backs. Cowards!” [Emphasis added]
Related articles:
- IDF soldier wounded in Hezbollah rocket barrage
- Egypt tells Hamas Rafah operation will be legitimate without deal
- 26 rockets fired at northern Israel from Lebanon
- Min. Chikli: I’ll oppose a deal, we can’t stop the war
[Ed.: Israel’s ‘War Cabinate’:
