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Netanyahu offering millions for safe return of hostages

The Israeli premier previewed this type of proposal in a statement following the killing of Hamas terror leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza on Oct. 16.

Israelis protest outside the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv for the immediate release of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, Sept. 1, 2024. Photo by Gili Yaari/Flash90.
Israelis protest outside the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv for the immediate release of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, Sept. 1, 2024. Photo by Gili Yaari/Flash90.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has presented a new proposal that would see Jerusalem pay “several million dollars” for each hostage, in exchange for safe passage abroad for the captors and their families, Channel 12 reported on Monday.

Netanyahu previewed this type of proposal in a statement following the killing of Hamas terror leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza on Oct. 16.

“To the Hamas terrorists, I say—your leaders are fleeing and will be eliminated. I call on anyone holding our hostages: Lay down your weapons and return our hostages, and we will allow you to leave and live. At the same time, I say that anyone who harms our hostages will pay with his life, and we will settle accounts with him,” added the premier.

The plan was reportedly discussed in Sunday’s meeting with the government’s point man on the hostage issue, Gal Hirsch.

“Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost—taking out three of yours.”
Crowds thronged the plaza at Judaism’s second-holiest site, with the event broadcast on giant screens along the Old City walls.
“Voters in this district now finally have a choice of a true defender of Israel with a record of results, who’s not beholden to party leadership that is increasingly out of whack with what most of us feel,” said Scott Singer, mayor of Boca Raton.
Israel’s national security minister said his party aims to facilitate the voluntary relocation of about 1.86 million Gazans within seven years.