Bezalel Smotrich: "The return of the hostages is not the most important goal"

Against the backdrop of the stalemate in the war and the unsuccessful negotiations for a hostage deal, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on Monday morning to achieve the goal set and to destroy Hamas.

In an interview with Sharon Gal on Radio Galei Israel, he said: "Let's make a decision to end Gaza once and for all, let's create trust with the people and prove that we achieve the goal and destroy Hamas."

He added: "We have to tell the truth – returning the hostages is not the most important goal, it is of course a very, very very important goal, but whoever wants to destroy Hamas and neutralize the possibility of another October 7, must understand that in Gaza there cannot be a situation in which Hamas remains present and exists."

"The excuses are gone, there is no Biden, there is no Blinken, there is no Galant, there is no chief of staff who physically prevents the cessation of humanitarian aid – there are no excuses, and I say to the Prime Minister: There is no time for this. The alternative to surrender is to take territory in the Gaza Strip and destroy Hamas."

The hostagas families headquarters responded: "The families have no words this morning except one: shame. At least the minister is revealing to the public the hard truth – this government has decided to give up the hostages consciously. Minister Smotrich: History will remember how you closed your heart to your brothers and sisters in captivity and chose not to save them – some from death and some from disappearance."