The far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that hostages held in Gaza are “not the most important thing” for the federal government in Tel Aviv.
“No, that’s not the most important thing,” Smotrich advised Israeli public broadcaster KAN when requested if the return of hostages was of utmost significance.
“Bringing them again at any value is an unfaithful and irresponsible assertion. This shouldn’t be a contest,” he added.
The hardline minister argued that Israel’s most important objective is to destroy Hamas.
Israel estimates that at the very least 134 Israelis are held by Hamas following its cross-border assault on Oct. 7.
Hamas calls for an finish to Israel’s offensive in Gaza in return for any hostage cope with Israel.
Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, killing practically 29,195 folks and injuring about 69,170 with mass destruction and shortages of requirements, whereas lower than 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed within the Hamas assault.
The Israeli conflict on Gaza has pushed 85% of the territory’s inhabitants into inner displacement amid acute shortages of meals, clear water and drugs, whereas 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been broken or destroyed, in line with the U.N.
Israel stands accused of genocide on the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to cease genocidal acts and take measures to ensure that humanitarian help is offered to civilians in Gaza.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
