'Hostage-taking could become Palestinian national sport', former Mossad agent warns

• Published date: 20 March 2024
• Author: 103FM
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

In the interview, he discussed the hostage deal materializing between Israel and Hamas. He expressed his opinion as to why this deal is bad for Israel

"The State of Israel must change the paradigm of hostage-taking. Anyone who has blood on their hands and is released in the framework of a hostage deal must meet their death shortly after their release," Igra stated.

"On the day of his [the prisoner's] release, he will decide what is better - three meals a day or to die in another two weeks. Around a year ago, Palestinian detainees in Israeli hospitals were set to be released to Gaza. No one wanted to go because it was better to die here than there."

"You must remember, this release is not just about people - this release is political," he said and explained: "What we did in the Shalit deal is that we colossally strengthened Hamas among the Palestinian population, both in the West Bank and Gaza. What will happen in the next deal is that if, among other things, we bring our loved ones home, it will result in Hamas becoming very, very strong, and this has implications and a price paid in blood, as was the case with the Shalit deal."

Igra added that "a survey recently conducted on social media in Gaza shows that Hamas is getting stronger. Hamas is looking at its basic goal, which is to survive and return to its condition on October 6th, so it can become stronger, rebuild itself, and fulfill its goal of the destruction of Israel."

Israel's strategy moving forward

"Israel must not agree to pause the war, to allow the return of residents to northern Gaza as Hamas demands - both women and children - because it will mean loss of Israeli control of the territory. Until the day after the war, the situation in Gaza must not be changed. That day will come; we must remain patient. We, as the public who are concerned with freeing the remaining hostages, must remain patient; it takes time. The other side is not waiting for a deal, but rather using the Israeli public and the hostages against us - and it's working," he explained.

Igra expressed his opinions on how Israel must act: "wisdom, not necessarily popularity."

"The State of...