Eliyahu Blames Alon as Hostage-Deal Fight Deepens

Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu told Army Radio that Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, the former head of the IDF's hostage and missing persons effort, should apologize and was to blame, with his approach, for Israelis being kidnapped and murdered. The remarks followed Alon's Herzliya Conference criticism that earlier comprehensive hostage deals were rejected under the banner of total victory. Israeli reports say Eliyahu argued that following Alon's approach would have left Hamas on Israel's border fence, while Gadi Eisenkot called the attack irresponsible. Hamas remains guilty for the October 7 massacre; Israel's leaders owe families a disciplined debate that honors soldiers, rescued captives and the duty to defeat Hamas.