Israel is offering $5M and safe passage out of Gaza to anyone who turns over its hostages
Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images
- PM Benjamin Netanyahu offered $5 million to anyone in Gaza who handed over hostages to Israel.
- He also offered safe passage out of the war-torn territory to those Palestinians who cooperate.
- In Israel, there is mounting pressure on Netanyahu to free those remaining in captivity in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that Palestinians in Gaza who turn over Israeli hostages will be offered $5 million as a reward, as well as an exit route out of the war-torn territory.
During Hamas' terror attack across the Israeli border on October 7, 2023, 251 Israeli and foreign hostages were taken, according to Israeli figures.
To date, some 117 of them have been freed or released, and 37 were brought back dead, leaving close to 100 that are thought to still be in Gaza.
It's unclear exactly how many of those hostages remain alive, as well as their precise whereabouts.
But there is intense and growing pressure within Israel, led by the families of the hostages, to bring the captives home. Negotiations have been at a standstill for months.
Netanyahu said Tuesday, while touring a section of the Gaza Strip, that Israel is doing everything it can to locate and return the hostages, per The Times of Israel.
He added, "Whoever dares to harm our hostages — he is a marked man. We will pursue you, and we will get you."
The $5 million pledge builds on earlier reports of a generous but unspecified reward from Israel to those who cooperate.
The New York Times reported that Netanyahu also offered a "safe way out for himself and his family" to whoever returns hostages to Israel.
Leaving Gaza remains a major challenge for Palestinians.
Exiting through Israel requires an Israel-issued permit, and according to reporting by several media outlets, departure via Egypt often involves exorbitant fees.
However, remaining in Gaza amid Israel's invasion remains incredibly dangerous.
The Israel Defense Forces has sought to destroy Hamas and free the hostages, but with that has come devastating destruction.
Humanitarian groups, such as the Red Cross, have put the death toll at more than 43,000 Palestinians, with over 100,000 people injured.