Former Israeli Hostage Negotiator Claims Gaza War Could Have Ended a Year Earlier

Former Israeli hostage negotiator Major General (retd) Nitzan Alon has stated that Israel could have ended the Gaza war about a year earlier, potentially saving lives and securing the release of hostages. Alon argued that Israel's insistence on achieving 'total victory' over Hamas before accepting a comprehensive deal was based on a false premise. The October 2025 ceasefire and hostage agreement demonstrated that Israel could have achieved its broader strategic objectives while reaching a deal much earlier. Alon believes an earlier agreement could have brought some hostages home alive and potentially saved thousands of lives on both sides.

Sources

• Times of India