Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that defeating the country’s enemies is more important than securing the release of remaining hostages in Gaza. This marks a shift in his stance, as he previously described returning the hostages as a primary goal of the war.
Netanyahu acknowledged that freeing the 59 remaining hostages is “very important,” but stated that Israel’s fight against its enemies is the “supreme objective” of the war. His comments drew backlash from hostage families and put him at odds with the majority of the Israeli public, which supports a deal to release all the hostages.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich recently made similar comments, saying that bringing back the hostages is not the most important goal but a “very, very, very important” one. Netanyahu’s remarks have also sparked criticism from military reservists who oppose the war, with some arguing it serves only the interests of officials and politicians.
The Israeli government claims its bombardment of Gaza is an attempt to pressure Hamas into concessions in ceasefire negotiations. However, senior defense officials have warned that the military will intensify operations if there is no ceasefire agreement.
Netanyahu’s comments have raised questions about the government’s knowledge of the hostages’ fate, with many families demanding full disclosure. The prime minister’s wife, Sara, sparked outrage last week when she claimed fewer than 24 hostages are still alive in Gaza, a statement that has led to demands for clarity on what the government knows.
The situation highlights the growing pressure on Netanyahu to reconsider his stance on the war and prioritize the release of the remaining hostages.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/01/middleeast/netanyahu-calls-defeating-israels-enemies-the-supreme-objective-intl