Ehud Olmert Tells Newsmax: Ensuring Return of Hostages Must Be Primary Focus

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Newsmax on Saturday that the top priority for Israel should be the return of all hostages held by Hamas.

Israel has escalated its airstrikes on the southern Gaza city of Rafah in preparation for a possible ground invasion. Critics warn that such a significant assault could have devastating consequences for the more than one million civilians residing there.

Olmert, who was Prime Minister from 2006-2009, emphasized the importance of ending the conflict to secure the release of the remaining 133 hostages. He stated, “More than half of them are no longer alive, but we must continue to pursue all of them. Bring them back. Israel now recognizes that we must negotiate a deal.”

Following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,100 deaths and 253 abductions, Olmert expressed hope that the impending ground offensive into Rafah can be avoided. He stressed the necessity of halting the fighting to facilitate the hostages’ return.

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