Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday a $5 million reward per hostage for Palestinians who assist in securing the release of Israelis held by Hamas in Gaza. The offer aims to incentivize cooperation from those seeking to escape Gaza’s conflict zones, which have been the site of intense fighting for over a year.
Speaking from the Netzarim Corridor in Gaza, Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s resolve to free the 101 remaining hostages. He stated, “Whoever brings us a hostage will find a safe way out for himself and his family,” while vowing, “We will bring them all back.” Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed the commitment during the announcement.
Among the hostages are three Americans, and 33 individuals are believed to have been killed while in captivity, with their bodies reportedly held by Hamas. Families of the hostages remain skeptical about Netanyahu’s strategy. Ruby Chen, whose son Itay was abducted, criticized the plan, calling it “tactical but not strategic.” He urged the prime minister to outline comprehensive steps for hostage recovery.
Netanyahu reiterated that Hamas would never regain power in Gaza, praising the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for dismantling the terrorist group’s military infrastructure. Despite these advancements, Hamas continues to resist with guerrilla tactics, prolonging the conflict.
Peace negotiations mediated by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt earlier this year faltered due to disagreements over security arrangements in Gaza. Qatar recently withdrew from talks, citing a lack of commitment from both sides. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with the Hamas-run Health Ministry claiming over 43,000 deaths in Gaza, though these figures remain contested.
Israel has not disclosed a timeline for concluding its military operations in Gaza, as efforts to dismantle Hamas and recover hostages continue.
