Israeli Finance Minister Says Returning Hostages ‘Not the Most Important Thing’

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has come under heavy criticism after stating that the return of hostages held in Gaza is “not the most important thing” for the country, according to a report by the Times of Israel.

Speaking to Radio Galey Israel, the far-right minister said: “We have to say the truth, returning the hostages is not the most important thing.”

“It is obviously a very important goal, but if you want to destroy Hamas so that there can’t be another October 7, you need to understand that there can’t be a situation where Hamas remains in Gaza,” he said.

His comments triggered a furious response from the Hostage Families Forum, a group representing the relatives of those still in captivity. “The families have no words this morning except shame,” the group said in a statement.

They accused the Israeli government of effectively abandoning the hostages, declaring, “Smotrich – history will remember how you closed your heart to your brothers and sisters in captivity and chose not to save them.”

Current Israeli estimates suggest that 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with 24 believed to be alive. At the same time, over 9,500 Palestinians are reportedly imprisoned in Israel. According to both Palestinian and Israeli human rights groups, many of them have suffered torture, starvation, and medical neglect.

Public pressure on the Israeli government is mounting, with nearly 140,000 people—including military personnel—having signed petitions calling for the immediate return of the hostages and an end to the ongoing war in Gaza.

Since Israel began its offensive on the Gaza Strip in October 2023, more than 51,200 Palestinians—mainly women and children—have been killed, according to local health authorities.

In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.