Free Israeli soldiers in Gaza before agreeing truce deal, say family

The family of Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin, who is being held captive in the Gaza Strip, has called for him to be returned before any truce is agreed with Hamas, Arab48.com reported on Sunday.

Goldin was one of two soldiers captured during Israel’s military offensive against the Palestinians in the besieged enclave in 2014. It is believed that Hamas is holding three other Israelis, including a soldier, in addition to Goldin and Oron Shaul.

The family made the call prior to a meeting of the Israeli cabinet on Sunday. Family members are due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who must, they insist, request the return of the soldiers as a condition of any truce.

READ: Israel minister rules out reaching truce with Hamas

A year ago, Goldin’s family appealed to the Israeli High Court for Netanyahu, not a reach a deal with the Palestinians without a prisoner swap. More pressure must be put on Hamas in this respect, they insisted. Goldin’s father said in his appeal that the ministerial council formed two years ago to look into the issue of the missing Israeli soldiers had never convened.

“Now, the government has decided to ignore us again in the framework of reaching a deal with Hamas,” he said. “We call for the High Court to help us.”