We must say it as it is: It is not the most important goal, says Bezalel Smotrich, Finance Minister and leader of the Religious Zionism party, to the right-oriented radio channel Galei Israel, according to reports in other media.
We must eliminate the Gaza problem. We have an excellent opportunity and now there are no more excuses, he says, and emphasizes that Hamas cannot be allowed to exist in Gaza under any circumstances.
The Minister points out, among other things, that Joe Biden is no longer President of the USA as an advantage. He also points out that Israel's former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and the former army chief Herzl Halevi – who were both heavily criticized by the more extreme government faction – are no longer in the picture.
Relatives are speechless
An organization representing relatives of hostages announces that they are speechless in the face of the Minister's statement and only feel shame:
"The Minister at least reveals the harsh truth to the public: this government has deliberately decided to give up on the hostages", it writes in a statement.
Religious Zionism is one of two ultra-nationalist parties that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formed his current government with. Netanyahu stands and falls with the support of these parties and they have consistently demanded tougher measures, continued warfare, and advocated for the complete expulsion of the Palestinian population in Gaza.
According to Bezalel Smotrich's description of the situation, the remaining hostages will only be able to come home if and when the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas has been defeated and eliminated.
Swore not to "give up"
The latest message from Prime Minister Netanyahu is that Hamas opposes a settlement that could lead to a ceasefire.
I do not give in to murderers. Such a decision would put you in danger, said Netanyahu to his fellow citizens in a pre-recorded TV address on Saturday.
Large demonstrations have been held in several parts of the country against the failure to free the hostages. The manifestations were unusually large in connection with the end of the Jewish Easter holiday of Pesach over the weekend.
Terror-listed Hamas, which rules in Gaza, had earlier in the week rejected a proposal for a ceasefire where about half of the hostages would be released. The movement opposed demands that it would completely disarm, without sufficient guarantees that the war would come to an end.
