Israel president 'shocked' hostages in Gaza no longer top priority

Israelis prefer pause but see war as necessary, says JNS chief

Alex Traiman says if Israelis can get a victory without going back to war, then that would certainly be the preference

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Israel president 'shocked' hostages in Gaza no longer top priority

Israel's president said on Tuesday he was shocked that the issue of hostages being held by Palestinian militants in Gaza was no longer a top priority in the country, days after criticising the government's war policy. "I am quite shocked how suddenly the issue of the hostages is no longer at the top of the priority list and at the top of the news," Isaac Herzog said in a video issued by his office, adding it was important to keep working towards…

Israel President 'shocked' hostages in Gaza no longer top priority

Israel's President expresses shock over hostages no longer being top priority, urges continued efforts for their release.

Isaac Herzog said on Tuesday, "Sorrying to see how suddenly, the issue of hostages is no longer at the top of the list of priorities or of current events." He recalled the importance of continuing efforts to "bring the hostages home, to the last".

In recent days, thousands of demonstrators have conspired in Jerusalem, the Israeli Prime Minister, accusing him of anti-democratic drifts and of continuing the war against Hamas regardless of the 58 hostages still held in Gaza.