Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant made important statements at the graduation ceremony of students at the Israeli National Security College, according to the Haaretz and Maariv newspapers. Gallant stated that a limited window of opportunity has opened to fulfill the moral and ethical duty to return Israeli prisoners from Gaza.
Gallant argued that a prisoner swap agreement with Palestinian groups would enhance Israel’s national security interests, and stressed that the Israeli army and security forces were ready for any risks they might face in the process. He also said that it was important to reach an agreement on the return of the prisoners along with military operations aimed at defeating Hamas, and that returning the prisoners to their homes was a duty and the highest moral requirement.
