"A serious mistake": Lapid's former associate opposes the kidnap deal

Surprising position: Roy Konkol, who served for many years as the spokesman for opposition leader Yair Lapid, published a tweet today (Wednesday) in which he expressed his opposition to the outline of the hostage deal that is on the agenda.

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"Despite the terrible difficulty and the unimaginable cost, I also think that the current deal (in the published outline) is a serious security and strategic error. The military pressure in Gaza must be increased and Hamas must be defeated until there is no trace left of it. Any possibility of letting the enemy regroup will make the task more difficult for us And raise the blood price we paid," Kunkol tweeted.

Despite the terrible difficulty and the unimaginable price, I also think that the current deal (in the published outline) is a serious security and strategic error. The military pressure in Gaza should be increased and Hamas should be defeated until there is no trace of it left. Any possibility of letting the enemy reorganize will make our task more difficult and increase the blood price we will pay.

— Roy Konkol (@konkolit1) May 1, 2024

Meanwhile, Lapid spoke with the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken before leaving for the United Arab Emirates. The two discussed the international efforts to promote a kidnapping deal and during their conversation Lapid said: "Netanyahu has no political excuse not to go to a deal for the return of the abductees. He has a majority in the people, he has a majority in the Knesset, and if necessary I will make sure he has a majority in the government. They must be brought home. Every hour is critical."

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As is known, Lapid is a prominent voice in favor of the deal, and often speaks out in favor of it. This week Lapid tweeted: "The most urgent task – a hostage deal. It's a difficult decision, but it's time to make it: the government needs to make a hostage deal even if the deal means an end to the war. Israel is not currently waging a war, and the current shuffling is not working in our favor."