Israeli spy agency Mossad is worried that the country may witness more cases like that of Ron Arad, an Israeli Air Force officer who went missing while on a mission in October 1986, due to the use of bulldozers to clear wreckage in Gaza. Arad was believed to have ended up in the custody of Hezbollah in 1986 and was subsequently declared dead in 2008 in the absence of intelligence about his condition or location.
Mossad chief David Barnea reportedly told families of Israeli hostages that the use of bulldozers to clear wreckage in the Gaza Strip could make it impossible to recover the bodies of slain hostages. "It’s awful. It could cause more cases like Ron Arad. We have a responsibility to bring everyone home," Barnea was quoted by Israel news websites.
Barnea, who met families, also faced demands that all hostages be released at once. The families fear that those set to be released in the latter stages would be left behind. "This isn’t a complete deal, but it’s the best deal that we were able to get," Barnea told the families. On whether he thought the three-phase deal would be implemented in its entirety, he responded: "There are many difficult issues that have to be discussed [in negotiations]."
Meanwhile, the three hostages are slated for release by Hamas on Thursday. They include an IDF soldier and two civilians, one of who is 80 years old. Five Thai hostages are also to be freed by the Gaza terror group. However, two of the Thai citizens have been declared dead by Israel. A Tanzanian who was abducted has also been declared dead. One Nepalese too remain in Gaza.
The hostages may not all be released at the same time and place, since Berger is held by Hamas, while Yehoud and Mozes are held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Israel has also asked that Hamas clarify the condition of hostages Shiri Bibas and her two small boys, Ariel and Kfir. Hamas is supposed to have released living children and female civilians first, then living female soldiers, the elderly and infirm men, and the IDF on Saturday expressed “grave concerns” for Shira and her sons.