Settlement Minister: I will vote for the continuation of the Gaza war even if prisoners are killed.

The extreme Israeli Minister of Settlement, Orit Strook, sparked widespread controversy after announcing that she would vote in the Israeli cabinet meeting (the security cabinet) in favor of continuing the war in Gaza, even if it resulted in the deaths of prisoners. This came in an interview with a local radio station, where she expressed her hardline stance on the aggression against the Gaza Strip.

Strook, who belongs to the 'Religious Zionism' party, confirmed that she is not the only one who will vote in favor of continuing the war, which provoked condemnation from the Families of Prisoners Committee. These statements reflect the Israeli government's extreme approach to dealing with the issue of Palestinian prisoners.

In a related context, the cabinet is meeting today, Thursday, to vote on the Israeli army's plans to occupy the city of Gaza, which had previously been approved by Defense Minister Israel Katz. Tel Aviv estimates that there are 50 Israeli prisoners in Gaza, while there are more than 10,800 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails suffering from harsh conditions.

Strook attempted to justify her position by stating that the vast majority of the Israeli public supports continuing the fight, referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statements about the necessity of defeating Hamas to free the prisoners. This statement reflects the prevailing military vision in the Israeli government.

The minister also addressed Hamas's attempts to capture Israeli soldiers, stating that these operations should destabilize them. She claimed that the government's actions have made Israelis targets for kidnapping, calling for a focus on destroying Hamas.

In contrast, the Families of Prisoners Committee attacked Strook's statements, noting that 80% of the Israeli public wants all prisoners to be returned home, even if the price is ending the war. The committee emphasized that the ongoing war poses an existential threat to the lives of the prisoners and to Israel's identity.

The Israeli government continues to escalate its aggression against the Palestinians in Gaza, while international mediations, such as those from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, seek to reach a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange, amid the difficult humanitarian conditions faced by the Palestinians.