Israeli Opposition Leader Calls for Gaza Truce to Free Hostages

Israel's opposition leader, Yair Lapid, urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to consider U.S. President Joe Biden's call for a Gaza truce that would see hostages released by Hamas. Lapid also offered to support Netanyahu’s government if far-right coalition members abandon the administration over the truce deal.

Israel's opposition leader on Saturday urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to heed U.S. President Joe Biden's call for a Gaza truce under which Hamas would free hostages, and offered to support the government should far-right coalition partners bolt.

"The government of Israel cannot ignore President Biden's consequential speech. There is a deal on the table and it should made," Yair Lapid said in an X post.

"I remind Netanyahu that he has a safety net from us for a hostage-release deal if (Itamar) Ben-Gvir and (Bezalel) Smotrich leave the government." (Writing by Dan Williams)