Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich addressed this evening (Tuesday), in an interview with Ran Benyamini and Yigal Guetta on the B channel, the talks for a deal to release the hostages from Hamas captivity.
When asked if returning the hostages is not the most important thing, Minister Smotrich replied: "No, it is not the most important thing. Why make a competition? What is important now? Hamas needs to be destroyed. It is very important, but you also understand that saying 'at any cost' is a problem. The hostages need to be returned, pressure needs to be applied to Hamas.".
He added: "I don't understand the statement about a country that's not going anywhere. It all started with a terrible disaster, but we discovered for ourselves the strengths that we have and we united. And we, forgive me for the expression, are breaking Hamas's mold, doing it with determination and winning.".
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In the interview, Smotrich also addressed estimates regarding the whereabouts of Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar: "The moment he realizes that he has to live in a state of despair, he will break.
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The minister was also asked if we know if Sinwar is alive - and he replied: "We know, okay? We will get to him. We will eliminate him, we will eliminate Daf, we will eliminate others. The war will not end until this terrible group is no longer alive. The army is investing a lot in this. Sinwar is in very great distress.".
Smotrich later posted a tweet on Twitter in which he wrote: "I was asked in an interview whether returning the kidnapped is not the most important thing before destroying Hamas and winning the war. My answer is clear: Only by destroying Hamas and winning the war will we return all the kidnapped. Anyone who calls for a deal at any cost will lead to Israel's defeat in the war and will also make it impossible to return the kidnapped people home.".
