Alon Says Gaza War Could Have Ended a Year Earlier

Former hostage pointman Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon told the Herzliya Conference that the Gaza war could have ended at least a year earlier and that earlier comprehensive hostage deals were rejected under the banner of "total victory." He said about 40 captives abducted alive were killed in captivity and that different decisions or negotiations might have brought some home alive; he also said Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who opposed some agreements, cannot take credit for their return. Times of Israel, JPost, Ynet, Makor Rishon, Israel Hayom and Haaretz report the same remarks. Hamas bears responsibility for the kidnappings and murders, and Israel must draw hard lessons without blurring that enemy guilt.