Israeli Democratic Party leader Yair Golan said on Sunday that Benjamin Netanyahu's government is trying to reach a settlement in the north, despite not eliminating Hezbollah, while endangering the lives of prisoners and soldiers in the Gaza Strip by refusing a ceasefire on the grounds that Hamas has not been eliminated.

This came in a post on the X platform by Golan, who previously held several military positions, including Deputy Chief of Staff of the Israeli Occupation Army and Commander of the Northern Region.

"Hezbollah, which is much stronger than Hamas, has not been completely eliminated, but the Israeli government is trying to reach a settlement in the north," said the head of the Democratic Party, an alliance of the left-wing Labor and Meretz parties.

He added: "The government itself refuses to reach an agreement to release prisoners, including a settlement in the south, on the grounds that Hamas has not been completely eliminated."

Golan continued: "This is illogical and unprofessional and puts the lives of prisoners and our soldiers (in the Gaza Strip) at risk in vain."

He concluded by saying: "Every Jewish mother will know that the Israeli government prefers its political survival over the security of its children."

On Sunday, the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth said that Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer headed to Washington to hold talks with senior White House officials regarding reaching a settlement with Hezbollah in the north.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Army Radio said that Dermer secretly visited Russia last week to push for a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.

She added in a report: "Dreamer is working with the Americans on settlement negotiations in the north, and Russia is expected to play a major role in the ceasefire."

Netanyahu's government refuses to reach a deal to return prisoners held in the Gaza Strip that includes stopping the war there, amid threats by extremist ministers, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, to withdraw from the government if the war in Gaza stops.