Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, former head of the IDF's Hostage and Missing Command, told the Herzliya Conference at Reichman University that Finance Minister Smotrich cannot take credit for securing the return of all hostages, noting Smotrich's opposition to parts of the agreements at various stages.
Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, the former commander of the IDF's Hostage and Missing Persons Command, delivered a pointed assessment at the Herzliya Conference at Reichman University this morning. Alon stated that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich cannot legitimately claim credit for bringing back all the hostages, emphasizing that Smotrich opposed parts of the various hostage-release agreements at different stages. The remarks, reported by Israeli media including N12, represent a rare direct criticism from a senior former security official of a sitting minister's record on a central national issue. No further context is available from within the desk's current intake regarding Smotrich's response or confirmation from Alon's office.
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