Benny Gantz: We will not sit idly by while Hamas rearms, even after the war

State Camp party leader Benny Gantz released a statement today (Monday) insisting that it would be possible to maintain Israel's security even with the completion of a hostage deal and an end to the war.

In his statement, he said that "one can go crazy from the indifference of the Prime Minister who chose to stay abroad last weekend instead of being here with his people during gut-wrenching moments. Who sends an unqualified delegation to Qatar and takes his time with the cabinet discussion. Who leaves dozens of living hostages – in mortal danger.

"I said this to the Prime Minister and I repeat it today – if you're not satisfied with the team, replace the team. If you have a way to bring back the hostages without paying the harsh prices – do so. Over thirty hostages who were alive on October 7th died in captivity.

"Snap out of the indifference and make decisions!

"We should rejoice and bless the hostages who have been released, but after more than a year of fighting and facing images that illustrate their condition to all of us, it's clear that returning the hostages must be a priority war objective – until the last hostage."

Gantz then addressed concerns about Hamas continuing to be a threat to Israel and to the south in particular: "The discussion about ending the war is not relevant. The operation in Beit Hanoun is not a war. As I said from the first day – we are facing a campaign of years. Does anyone think Hamas won't arm themselves? And when that happens, will we stand idly by?"

"After we release the hostages, we will insist on demilitarizing Gaza and maintaining our freedom of action against Hamas's buildup.

"Armed with the lessons of October 7th, we will have internal solidarity, operational freedom of action, and American backing to continue working to dismantle Hamas's rule. Anyone who thinks we'll sit quietly and allow Hamas murderers to control and arm themselves on our borders – is living in October 6th. This will not happen.

"In the first days of the war, I said that this campaign must end with territorial control that will serve us in creating a security space and protecting our residents.

"The buffer zone is a destruction zone – we must firmly insist on this. The reality we establish today is the security of southern residents for the coming decades."