The prime minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu and the finance minister of his government, Bezalel Smotrichstated today that their country will not pay “any price” for their return hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip while negotiations for their release continue.
When asked about the 134 hostages remaining in Gaza, Smotrich told Kan Radio that their return is “very important” but they cannot be released “at any cost”. The way for her release theirs is the strengthening of military pressure on Gaza and the defeat of Hamas, he added.
The remarks drew criticism from opposition leader Yair Lapid and minister Benny Gantz and angered some of the hostages' families who are trying to pressure the government into a deal.
However, shortly after the radio interview, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement echoing Smotrich's position.
“There is a lot of pressure on Israelat home and abroad, to stop the war before we achieve all of our goals, including an agreement to release the hostages at any cost. We are not willing to pay any price, certainly not the delusional cost that Hamas is asking of us, which would mean the defeat of the state of Israel,” Netanyahu said.
These statements, as reported by APE-MPE, were made at a time when the United States plans to send its special envoy for the Middle East to the region, as part of talks between the US, Egypt, Israel and Qatar aimed at an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
Source: News Beast
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