Netanyahu announces $5m reward to free hostages from Gaza

Netanyahu insists captives will be freed, despite his defense officials saying ceasefire is the only way.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a $5 million reward for anyone who helps secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

The offer, made during a brief visit to the Gaza border, includes not only the cash reward but also a safe exit for those who assist in freeing the captives.

“To those who want to leave this entanglement, I say: Whoever brings us a hostage will find a safe way out for himself and his family. We will also give $5 million for every hostage,” Netanyahu said during the visit, which included an inspection of the Netzarim Corridor, a key access road built by the Israeli military to separate northern and southern Gaza.

The reward comes amid ongoing mass protests in Israel, where families of the captives are demanding the government take steps to free their loved ones, including negotiating a ceasefire with Hamas.

Netanyahu, however, has stated that military action is the only viable solution for securing the release of all hostages. He has also dismissed calls for a ceasefire, which many believe would result in a collapse of his far-right coalition government. This is in contrary to his defense officials as they have warned him that a ceasefire deal is the only way to rescue hostages.

Israel estimates that 101 captives remain in Gaza, although around one-third are believed to have died.

Despite continued military operations, Israel has faced heavy criticism over its handling of the hostage crisis. Netanyahu’s reward offer highlights the ongoing pressure on the government to act more swiftly to secure the release of its citizens, even as allegations of war crimes and genocide have been levelled against Israel in the context of its military campaign in Gaza.

Netanyahu has vowed that Hamas will no longer govern Gaza, saying, “Hamas will no longer exist in Gaza. The best is yet to come,” and reiterating his commitment to eliminating the group’s presence in the region.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health has reported that the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 44,700, including nearly 17,500 children, as Israeli airstrikes continue their brutal campaign in the region. Thousands more are feared buried under rubble, with the threat of illness and further casualties growing by the day.

As of November 19, more than 104,000 Palestinians have been injured since the conflict began. Additionally, more than 11,000 people remain missing, with rescue efforts hampered by the ongoing violence and destruction.

In the occupied West Bank, the situation is similarly dire. The latest figures show at least 785 Palestinians have been killed, including at least 167 children, with over 6,250 people injured.

The Palestinian Health Ministry has condemned the ongoing attacks, calling them a violation of international law, as Israel's military campaign against Hamas intensifies.

Israel's actions have drawn widespread international condemnation, with accusations of war crimes and genocide.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is currently reviewing a case against Israel for its actions in Gaza, as critics argue that the disproportionate force used in its attacks violates international law, particularly the Geneva Conventions.

Reports from the UN have highlighted that over 80% of civilian casualties in Gaza resulted from Israeli airstrikes on residential buildings or similar structures.