Netanyahu Proposes $5 Million for Each Hostage in Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed financial incentives for individuals who assist in the release of hostages being held by Palestinian militants. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a $5 million reward for anyone who can successfully bring one of the surviving hostages home from Gaza. This pledge was made during his visit to the Palestinian enclave on Tuesday.
In October 2023, Hamas abducted over 250 individuals during a brutal raid in southern Israel. While some hostages have been returned through negotiations or military efforts, others have lost their lives, including casualties caused by Israeli military actions. By early November, Israeli intelligence estimated that as many as 51 hostages were still alive and held by the militants.
“I want to say to those who are holding our hostages: Whoever dares to harm our hostages will pay the price. We will pursue you and we will find you,” Netanyahu declared in a press conference during his brief trip to Gaza.
“To those who want to leave this entanglement I say: Whoever brings us a hostage, will find a safe way out for himself and his family,” he continued. “We will also give $5 million for every hostage.”
Reports from two weeks ago indicated that Netanyahu planned to offer a ransom of several million dollars per hostage, along with safe passage out of Gaza for anyone willing to negotiate with his government.
Domestically, the Israeli leader is under fire for allegedly prioritizing military objectives against Hamas over the lives of the hostages. Talks mediated by US-backed Qatar regarding a potential ceasefire and hostage release have come to a halt, following Doha's suggestion that the negotiating parties weren’t acting in good faith.
Additionally, Netanyahu’s office faces accusations of leaking information to the media to support his hardline stance, which the prime minister has characterized as a “witch hunt.”
Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who was dismissed by Netanyahu earlier this month, has reportedly informed the families of hostages that the military has “nothing left to do in Gaza.”
Palestinian officials state that the confirmed death toll in Gaza has approached 44,000, though humanitarian organizations suggest the true figure may be significantly higher.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
In October 2023, Hamas abducted over 250 individuals during a brutal raid in southern Israel. While some hostages have been returned through negotiations or military efforts, others have lost their lives, including casualties caused by Israeli military actions. By early November, Israeli intelligence estimated that as many as 51 hostages were still alive and held by the militants.
“I want to say to those who are holding our hostages: Whoever dares to harm our hostages will pay the price. We will pursue you and we will find you,” Netanyahu declared in a press conference during his brief trip to Gaza.
“To those who want to leave this entanglement I say: Whoever brings us a hostage, will find a safe way out for himself and his family,” he continued. “We will also give $5 million for every hostage.”
Reports from two weeks ago indicated that Netanyahu planned to offer a ransom of several million dollars per hostage, along with safe passage out of Gaza for anyone willing to negotiate with his government.
Domestically, the Israeli leader is under fire for allegedly prioritizing military objectives against Hamas over the lives of the hostages. Talks mediated by US-backed Qatar regarding a potential ceasefire and hostage release have come to a halt, following Doha's suggestion that the negotiating parties weren’t acting in good faith.
Additionally, Netanyahu’s office faces accusations of leaking information to the media to support his hardline stance, which the prime minister has characterized as a “witch hunt.”
Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who was dismissed by Netanyahu earlier this month, has reportedly informed the families of hostages that the military has “nothing left to do in Gaza.”
Palestinian officials state that the confirmed death toll in Gaza has approached 44,000, though humanitarian organizations suggest the true figure may be significantly higher.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
