Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz clash over hostage deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and State Camp party leader Benny Gantz clashed today (Sunday) in dueling statements over responsibility for the hostages and the success of the war.

In a video statement released earlier today, Gantz reproached Netanyahu for both demanding that people speak of the hostage negotiations as little as possible while also speaking on the matter in his interview for the Wall Street Journal, which was published on Friday.

Gantz also attacked Netanyahu for saying in that interview that he would not allow Hamas to rule "30 miles from Tel Aviv," accusing him of ignoring the safety needs of Nir Oz and Sderot which are much closer to the Gaza Strip, and stating that the hostage deal is necessary for that, as well.

The Prime Minister's Office hit back, arguing that Gantz wanted an end to the war for political reasons even before the IDF entered Rafah when he was part of the unity government.

Netanyahu's statement also noted how after Gantz left, Israel registered a large string of military successes, including neutralizing Hezbollah, "mortally wounding" Hamas, and directly striking Iran - which also led to Assad's downfall in Syria.

The statement ended by saying that "those who do not help the national effort should at least not hurt it."