Israel's Prime Minister, Netanyahu, deems the supreme aim as vanquishing Israel's adversaries, rather than liberating hostages.
Going for the jugular: Netanyahu prioritizes war over hostages
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's unconventional approach to Israel's ongoing conflict with Gaza culminated on Thursday when he asserted the importance of securing victory over "enemies" as the paramount objective, even over the release of the 59 remaining hostages.
With a dash of optimism, the Prime Minister acknowledged that freeing the hostages is indeed a vital goal. Nevertheless, in the heat of war, he underscored that the ultimate objective is a resounding victory against their adversaries.
The bold statement came during Israel's Independence Day celebrations, marking the first time Netanyahu went on record to describe the hostages' release as a secondary priority in comparison to the war effort. Earlier, he had described the elimination of Hamas and the hostage release as interconnected goals of the Gaza conflict.
The remarks drew sharp criticism from representatives of hostage families, who expressed their concern and disappointment. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum stated "The return of the hostages is not 'less' important - it is the supreme goal that should guide the government of Israel".
Public opinion polls suggest that the majority of Israeli citizens express strong support for negotiating a deal to release all the hostages and ending the current conflict in Gaza.
Netanyahu finds himself in agreement with Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich who, in an earlier statement, echoed a similar sentiment, associating the return of the hostages as a significant but secondary objective.
As the conflict persists, members of Netanyahu's coalition have been urging him to resume fighting, making preparations for an escalation. Senior Israeli officials have been warning for weeks that the military will intensify its operations in Gaza if there is no ceasefire with Hamas by Friday.
In recent weeks, Israel has operated a rigorous military campaign and strict blockade on Gaza, aiming to pressure Hamas into making concessions for prisoner exchange. However, the blockade has drawn international criticism for its impact on humanitarian suffering.
Netanyahu is set to meet with senior defense officials on Friday as Israel readies to expand its military operations. Israel maintains that its approach aims to put pressure on Hamas to release the hostages and disarm, but critics argue the focus on military objectives over hostages' safety could have detrimental consequences.
Gaza has been reeling from the repercussions of the conflict, with ongoing military activities and a stringent blockade causing immense hardship for civilians. In addition, hostage families have expressed consternation about recent statements made by Sara Netanyahu, who was overheard indicating that fewer than 24 hostages might still be alive in Gaza.
The ensuing outcry and questions about the government's intelligence on the hostages' condition have raised concerns and prompted calls for greater transparency. Meanwhile, disgruntled reservists have expressed increased opposition to the war, alleging that it mainly serves the political and personal interests of officials, instead of the country's security needs.
(Information based on reports up to May 1, 2025)
- Despite prioritizing victory over the release of hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that freeing the hostages is a vital goal.
- The Hostages and Missing Families Forum criticized Netanyahu's statement, stating that the return of the hostages should be the supreme goal guiding the Israeli government.
- Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has echoed Netanyahu's sentiments, regarding the return of the hostages as significant but secondary to the broader objectives of the ongoing conflict.
- As the conflict with Gaza continues, Netanyahu faces growing criticism from reservists and civilians who question whether his focus on military objectives over hostages' safety could have detrimental consequences.
