Netanyahu Offers $5 Million Reward for Information on Hostages Held by Hamas

Jerusalem, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday a $5 million reward for any Palestinian who provides information leading to the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

The offer came during a visit to the Netzarim Corridor. This region divides Northern Gaza and Gaza City from the rest of the Strip, where intense fighting has occurred as Israel continues its campaign to eradicate Hamas.

These are the American hostages that Hamas terrorists took on Oct. 7, 2023. (Fox News Photo)

Netanyahu announced Defense Minister Israel Katz, emphasising Israel’s determination to bring every captive home. “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,” Netanyahu said. “We will also give $5 million for every hostage. Choose; the choice is yours, but the result will be the same. We will bring them all back.”

Currently, 101 hostages remain in Hamas’s custody out of the 251 people taken during the October 7, 2023, attacks. At least 33 of the hostages are believed to have been killed, with their bodies held by Hamas as bargaining chips, including three Americans. The remaining hostages, including seven Americans, continue to be a point of intense focus for Israel.

Fox News Digital could not immediately reach Netanyahu’s office or the White House for comment on ongoing efforts to secure the hostages’ release. The Hostage Family Forum also declined to comment when approached for a statement.

One of the family members of a U.S. hostage, Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen, who was serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during the October attacks, expressed scepticism about Netanyahu’s reward strategy. “I think [Netanyahu’s] initiative is a smoke screen and tactical but not strategic,” Chen said.

He questioned Netanyahu’s refusal to clarify Israel’s stance on critical issues, like the potential for leaving Gaza. He suggested that the prime minister’s latest move was aimed at securing fewer hostages rather than negotiating for all of them during a cease-fire.

Prime Minister Netanyahu meets with IDF commanders in Gaza on Nov. 19, 2024. (Photo provided by TPS-IL)

Netanyahu, who met with Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, the chief of staff of the IDF, reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to dismantling Hamas, vowing that the group would never return to power in Gaza. “Hamas will not rule in Gaza,” he declared. “We are eliminating its military capabilities in awe-inspiring fashion. We are moving on to its governing abilities but are not yet done. Hamas will not be in Gaza.”

Israel has been engaged in extensive military operations in Gaza, and the IDF had earlier assessed in September that Hamas had been mainly defeated, with remaining militants now operating through guerrilla-style tactics. While progress has been made, the Israeli government has not provided a clear timeline for when military operations in Gaza will end.

Efforts to resolve the conflict have also involved peace talks, but these appear to have stalled due to significant disagreements, particularly over creating security corridors in the Strip.

Qatar and Egypt, representing Hamas in mediation talks, had worked closely with the U.S. to broker a ceasefire. However, earlier this month, Qatar announced it could no longer participate in the mediation process due to a lack of willingness from both Hamas and Israel to engage in good faith.

Palestinians flee amid an Israeli military operation in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, Oct. 22, 2024. (Reuters/Dawoud Abu Alkas)

The death toll in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, has surpassed 43,000, with a significant portion of the casualties reported to be women and children. These numbers do not account for the deaths of Hamas militants, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region continues to draw international concern.