in the West Bank, settlers against the hostage release agreement

An agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday, providing for the release of 50 hostages held in Gaza. Despite everything, this agreement is not unanimous, particularly within the hardest religious fringe in Kiryat Arba, a colony near Hebron in the West Bank.

The faces of the hostages are everywhere in Israel but in Kiryat Arba, near Hebron in the West Bank, you have to look for them carefully. In this colony where Itamar Ben Gvir, Minister of National Security, Jewish supremacist, comes from, the lives of the hostages matter less than the war in Gaza. There, the hardest religious fringe is not in favor of the agreement approved on Wednesday November 22 by the Israeli government. This agreement, expected on the other hand by the families of the hostages and public opinion, plans release of 50 hostages from Hamas in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and a truce in the Gaza Strip, according to an official statement.

In Kiryat Arba, on the shopping square, it is almost surprising to finally come across a banner with a verse from the Torah saying: “And our sons returned to their borders. We’re waiting for you at home.”. In the stronghold of Minister Ben Gvir, many residents say they are little interested in the fate of the hostages, where the rest of Israeli society is obsessed.

In his mobile phone business, Benaiah accepts the fact of not being interested in this agreement. “The problem is not whether or not we save lives, he believes. If giving up lives is the price we have to pay, then yes, we give it up. It’s painful for the hostages, but the priority is to crush Gaza.”. The neighboring business is run by Hezi who, for his part, does not want to hear about the truce: “Accepting a truce gives them the opportunity to rearm and reorganize”.

“We must not accept a ceasefire, we must pursue them, eradicate them or put them in prison. But a ceasefire, in no case”

Hezi, merchant from Kiryat Arba

at franceinfo

Two residents of Kiryat Arba are held hostage, including the son of a local elected official. He said he was prepared not to see his child return if the goal of annihilating Gaza was achieved.