JERUSALEM

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday opposed releasing Palestinian prisoners as part of any potential Gaza cease-fire agreement with Hamas. 

Smotrich described the release of Palestinian prisoners as a “terrible and horrific event,” saying “I will not agree to it; a red line must be drawn.”

Israel has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack that claimed 1,200 lives and around 250 others were taken as hostages. Israeli actions have triggered a humanitarian disaster and an ongoing trial over alleged genocide at the International Court of Justice.

Tel Aviv estimates 120 Israelis are still held in Gaza, while Hamas says many of them have been killed in indiscriminate Israeli airstrikes. Israel holds at least 9,500 Palestinians in its prisons.

“We saw what happened in the deal for Gilad Shalit (former Israeli soldier who was released by Hamas in 2011). We released Yahya Sinwar, and we see what we got in return,” Smotrich said. “With what logic will we release the next Yahya Sinwar and endanger thousands more Israelis?”

In October 2011, Hamas released Shalit in exchange for Israel freeing 1,027 Palestinian prisoners, including Sinwar.

Smotrich, leader of the far-right Religious Zionist Party, added: “I will oppose this, even if it ends my political career.”

“If there are no red lines, you have no right to practice politics,” he said.

He criticized the security establishment, claiming they are pursuing an illegal deal at any cost.

For months, the US, Qatar, and Egypt have been mediating efforts to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas that would ensure a hostage exchange and a cease-fire in Gaza.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio