The Tikvah Forum for Families of Hostages hailed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision on Tuesday to appoint Foreign Minister Israel Katz as the Jewish state’s defense minister, replacing Yoav Gallant.
“The dismissal of Minister Gallant and the appointment of Israel Katz creates an opportunity for us to make a strategic change regarding the return of the hostages,” the organization said in a statement posted to X.
“The time has come to push with all our might Netanyahu’s offer to those who hold hostages to free them for a large sum of money,” stated the forum, adding that it “trusts Minister Katz to increase the military pressure on what is left of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“We thank Minister Galant for his work for Israel’s security and for the attempts to return our loved ones,” the Tikvah statement concluded.
In a letter published by Israel’s Channel 12 News earlier on Tuesday, Netanyahu informed Gallant that his dismissal would be effective 48 hours after the delivery of the missive. “I would like to thank you for your work as defense minister,” he wrote the fellow Likud Party member.
The Channel 12 report noted that as part of the move, Netanyahu and Katz are expected to launch a bid to replace Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, as well as other senior Israeli security officials.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which also represents many relatives of the captives, expressed “deep concerns” following the firing, warning that the “sudden change could affect the fate of 101 hostages held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza for nearly 400 days.”
“We expect the incoming Defense Minister, Israel Katz, to prioritize a hostage deal and work closely with mediators and the international community to secure the immediate release of all hostages,” the NGO said.
