Beating Hamas more important than hostages’ return, Netanyahu says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said victory is Israel’s supreme objective in its war with the terror group Hamas. Speaking at the annual Bible Quiz in Jerusalem on Israel’s Independence Day, Netanyahu said bringing back the hostages Hamas holds is an important, but secondary, goal, according to The Times of Israel. The speech appears to mark the first time the prime minister has explicitly characterized the hostages’ return as a lower priority.

Up to 24 hostages are still alive, Netanyahu said, with 59 total still in captivity, The Times of Israel reported. Israel previously brought 147 living and 49 dead hostages back home, through negotiations with Hamas or military operations.

How did hostages’ relatives react? Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, said her goal is to remove Netanyahu from power, according to Ynet News. She criticized the prime minister for pursuing military victory over the return of her ill son.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, created by friends and relatives of the abductees, also said rescuing the hostages should be Netanyahu’s primary goal, according to Ynet News. The forum called the prime minister out of touch with most Israelis, whose top priority is the safety of the hostages. The forum also expressed concern that Netanyahu was aligning himself with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who previously criticized ceasefire deals. The finance minister also said the complete destruction of Hamas should be Israel’s top priority over rescuing hostages, Middle East Eye reported.