Hadar Goldin's brother: Ceasefire negotiations won't 'bring boys home'

• Published date: 23 May 2021
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The Egyptian delegation passed through the Erez border crossing into Gaza to meet with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on Sunday, having met the day before with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the ceasefire, the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip and developments in Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Goldin tweeted, "Do not be mistaken, the head of the National Security Council has now instructed the Cairo negotiating delegation to discuss the return of the boys at the bottom of the list of priorities."

"It's amazing: Yoni Netanyahu sacrificed his life to return prisoners, Benjamin Netanyahu does everything to leave prisoners behind. Shame."

This comes after many Israelis have taken to the streets in protest of the unconditional ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel, with demands to return the two Israeli civilians, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, held in Hamas captivity since 2014 and 2015, respectively, and the bodies of two IDF soldiers held by Hamas, St.-Sgt. Oron Shaul and Lt. Hadar Goldin, abducted by Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip in 2014.

The NGO Israel Victory Project has plastered giant billboard signs opposing the decision across the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv. The organization works to prevent more rounds of fighting by changing the public worldview on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Its signs read, "The essence of the IDF is victory," a quote by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kohavi and "the nation demands a victory," followed by public demands that the organization claims should constitute a real victory in the conflict.

AMONG THESE demands are Hamas disarmament, breaking its spirit and hopes to destroy Israel, and returning the captives held by the terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip regardless of any other conditions.

"That's what a real victory is," the signs say.

"There is no doubt that the IDF has made significant achievements in Operation Guardian of the Walls, but at the same time there is a feeling that accompanies the Israeli public that an opportunity was missed after the current round [of fighting]," according to Greg Roman, Executive Director of the Middle East Forum.

"This time we had all the conditions to do so, including widespread support from the Israeli public, but once again we chose a soft policy against terrorism," Roman added, explaining...