Ministers of the Religious Zionist party voted Wednesday night in favor of the deal to release the hostages – after many hours of discussions in the government and after they requested a break in the discussions for internal consultation before the vote.
Party members said that, "The ministers of Religious Zionism are convinced that this is an achievement that is in line with the overall goals of the war, promotes these goals and does not ,God forbid, harm them. A low-priced deal is the result of the pressure exerted and will continue to be exerted on [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar, a deal that will lead to the release of many women and children."
"This is a time-limited move that includes clear operational mechanisms that will prevent extended attrition and immediately after that the war will be renewed with determination and resoluteness, until the destruction of Hamas and the removal of the threat posed by Gaza to the citizens of Israel."
"The clarity regarding the goals of the war and the duty to continue, with God's help, and not stop until they are fully achieved, is shared by absolutely all government ministers and the cabinet, including the security agencies, which ensures the ability to withstand pressures from home and abroad and the continuation of fighting in unity and with a broad national consensus," the party added.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who heads the party, explained: "It is no secret that before the discussion in the government we thought otherwise, but during the long and in-depth discussion, we were all convinced that the return of the hostages would advance the goals of the war and that the government, the cabinet and the entire security system are committed, without reservation, to the continuation of the war until the destruction of Hamas. We were convinced that the IDF is ready to protect our forces and even to take advantage of the short operational break, to prepare and amass achievements for the continuation of the campaign and that the deal includes clear strategies that will prevent foot-shuffling and future surrender to Sinwar's manipulations."
"For these reasons, we decided that this is a good and positive deal and we voted in favor of it. We hope that it will come to fruition and that many families will be reunited in the coming days, and that this will be an important contribution to raising the spirit and national morale and, in any case, to the total support of the nation for the continuation of the war until we have achieved our overall goals," noted Smotrich.
"We call on the heroic combat soldiers and commanders, in regular and reserve service – be proud! Your dedication and pursuit of victory brought about the great achievement of returning many hostages home and, with God's help, your determination in the future will lead to the destruction of Hamas and other terrorist organizations, the demobilization of the entire Gaza Strip, and the return of all the hostages. We have no intention of stopping. On the contrary – the political echelon stands behind you, believes in you and is convinced that you will complete the mission, destroy the Hamas Nazis in Gaza and restore national security and honor to the citizens of Israel," he concluded.