"We Didn't Go to War to Bring Back Hostages": Minister Orit Struck's Remark Incites Fury.

A cabinet meeting held Sunday to discuss establishing an inquiry into the October 7 failures was dominated by a controversial statement from Minister Orit Struck, who asserted that "We didn't go to war to bring back hostages." This comment, made during a discussion on the duration of the Gaza ceasefire, drew immediate and fierce condemnation from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

The government ultimately voted to establish an "independent" (non-state) inquiry committee to investigate the October 7 massacre, stipulating that its composition must "reflect the broadest possible public consensus." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will form a ministerial committee to recommend the inquiry's mandate within 45 days.

Tense Exchange Over Hostages and Ceasefire

The contentious remarks came during a tense exchange between Minister Struck and Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding the ongoing ceasefire in Gaza.

Minister Struck asked Netanyahu: "How long will the ceasefire last?" Netanyahu replied: "I don't know." Struck pressed: "What do you mean, 'I don't know'?" Netanyahu explained that the current focus is concluding the first phase, with three remaining captives to be returned. Struck then stated: "We didn't go to war to bring back hostages."

Netanyahu countered by emphasizing the need for disarmament and demilitarization of Gaza, including the tunnels. He noted that a multinational force has been proposed for this, and that this stage cannot be relinquished. He added that the length of the war is difficult to quantify, as they have been fighting on seven fronts.

Government Ministers Debate Inquiry's Scope

The cabinet discussion also centered on the structure and mandate of the inquiry commission, with ministers expressing deep suspicion of the judicial system and the political opposition.

Minister Struck later clarified that she supports a comprehensive investigation that includes the period leading up to the war, going back to the Oslo Accords and events such as the abduction of Hadar Goldin, arguing these historical factors carry significant weight in leading to the October 7 mass abduction.

Hostages Families Forum Responds with Fury

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum responded with profound outrage to Minister Struck's assertion, arguing that her words exposed a painful truth: that the government has not defined the return of the hostages as a central war aim for over two years.

"This fact alone deserves to be a central chapter in the Commission of Inquiry that will be established to investigate the October 7 failure, the most severe failure in the history of the State of Israel," the Forum stated.

They reminded the Minister that returning the hostages is a "paramount Israeli, Jewish, and moral value," adding, "A nation that does not bring back its sons has no right to exist." The Forum emphasized the moral obligation to return remaining captive bodies, including those of Ran Gvili, Dror Or, and Thai citizen Sutthisak Rinthelek, all of whom were kidnapped while believing they were protected by the state.