TEHRAN - Israel has been talking up a massive ground offensive into Gaza for more than a month now. Israeli officials say they are bent on eradicating Hamas while they continue their outsize deadly attacks on civilians in the Gaza Strip. 

The U.S., amidst calls to pull the plug on Israel, has been doing everything in its power to buttress Israel’s lost clout and credibility, refusing to ask the regime to dial down its attacks on women and children. 

But many in the occupied territories believe that the biggest victims of the ongoing Israeli onslaughts are Israelis themselves. That’s because among the vast carnage caused by the regime’s ruthless atrocities, the captives held by Hamas forces are also present. 

On November 4, protesters encircled the Israeli prime minister's residence in occupied al-Quds, firmly asserting the demand for Netanyahu's immediate resignation. The demonstrators, comprising families of those affected by the Hamas October 7 operation and individuals held captive in Gaza, expressed deep frustration over what they perceive as inadequate measures to avert the Hamas attack and secure the release of some 200 captives currently held in Gaza. They chanted “must go” and “jail now” asking for the largely detested politician to step down. 

“My family wasn’t kidnapped because of Hamas. My family was kidnapped because the army didn’t come out to defend me. That’s the reason. Hamas is tiny compared to the giant Israel,” a family member of one of the captives told Israeli media during the protest. Others called on Israeli officials to tone down their animus towards Gaza and take into account the lives of Israeli captives.  

Following significant backlash from affected families and well-known figures within the Israeli war cabinet, the prime minister announced on Sunday the potential for a deal to secure the release of Israeli captives, aiming to calm the waters. However, he refrained from disclosing any specifics about the potential agreement. “I think the less I say about it the more I’ll increase the chances it materializes,” he said, speaking as if he was commenting on a wish he made after blowing out his birthday candles.

Pictures of Faul Azai Mark Asiani, Israeli captive in Gaza who was killed during the regime’s airstrike, and Elizabeth Tsurkov, Israeli spy arrested in Iraq who has complained about the regime not taking any action to secure her release

Subsequently, a spokesman for the Al-Qassem Brigades revealed that Israel exhibited reluctance towards the release of captives. Abu Obeida remarked that the regime is prolonging discussions regarding a possible arrangement, one that would entail the liberation of dozens of Israelis in exchange for the release of Palestinian women and children held in Israel's prisons. He further noted the death of an Israeli female soldier in an airstrike by the regime a few days prior.

Netanyahu seems to be procrastinating on a deal with Hamas to release Israeli captives, mindful that once the war ends, his political career too, will come to an end. 

Recent polls indicate that Netanyahu would face defeat if elections were held at present. A poll conducted on November 3 revealed that 76% of Israelis favor Netanyahu's resignation. On November 7, a prominent pro-Netanyahu newspaper altered its position and published an editorial advocating for his removal following the war. 

In his 16 years of tenure, Netanyahu has been touting himself as a stalwart figure in matters of security. His infamous speeches on how Iran poses an existential threat to Israel, have aided him in gaining significant votes during Israel’s highly contested elections. But his conduct as well as the occurrence of the regime’s biggest security failure under his watch, suggest that Netanyahu has been veering from any security control measures.

Another recent development has also shed light on the true stance of Israeli politicians, implying that they may not truly prioritize the safety and security of Israelis who have been drawn to the occupied territories from across the world to live in the “national homeland of the Jewish people”.

An Israeli woman, who was captured in Iraq earlier this year, surfaced in a video aired by Iraq's Al Rabiaa satellite network on Monday. Elizabeth Tsurkov confessed to spying for Mossad in Iraq and Syria while expressing grievances that Israeli authorities have not taken any tangible measures over the past six months to secure her release.

“This war that is being stupidly run by Netanyahu through his wife, Sara, and his son, Yair, will lead to the hostages being killed. If you want your sons and daughters to return alive, the war must stop,” Tsurkov told the families of Israeli captives held in Gaza, urging them to stop the regime’s devastating attacks on the besieged territory.

While Netanyahu remains flummoxed by the need to fulfill his personal interests, Israelis living in the occupied territories are becoming less inclined by the day to support the occupation. Netanyahu’s disregard towards the safety of Israeli captives, and those risking their lives to serve Mossad, has prodded Israelis to think twice about living in what’s been propagated as an eternal safe haven for Jews. 

By Mona Hojat Ansari