SARASOTA, Fla. - General Yoav Gallant, who served as Israel’s Minister of Defense during the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, spoke at a remembrance event hosted by the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

Hundreds of attendees packed The Ora to hear Gallant reflect on the war’s early days and share his outlook on a pending U.S.-led peace and hostage deal.

Timeline:

October 7, 2023: Hamas launches a surprise attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

Summer 2024: Gallant says three of his initial wartime goals had been achieved, and that a peace deal should have followed.

This week: A deal is expected to free 48 Israeli hostages, 20 believed to still be alive, in exchange for 1,700 Palestinian prisoners.

What they're saying:

"First, free the hostages

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