Netanyahu Gave Up on the Hostages to Pursue War, Top Israeli Journalist

Bezalel Smotrich admitted in February that the hostages were not Israel's top priority

Gideon Levy, the columnist for Haaretz, said in an interview Sunday that the Israeli government had to choose between pursuing its war with Hamas or saving the hostages, and decided to abandon those taken captive.

Levy spoke with Al Jazeera as the Biden administration continues to try to get Israel and Hamas to sign on with a deal that would allow Tel Aviv to continue its killing spree at any moment.

“From the beginning, people like me said Israel has to make a choice between the war and releasing the hostages,” he said. “You have to choose between the two because the two will not be achieved together. Israel clearly chose to pursue the war.”

He said Israel laid out plans to crush Hamas, but said that will never happen.

“But by this, we gave up on the hostages,” he said. “And I don’t see any [ceasefire] deal coming in the coming days or weeks. No way. Israel is not interested.”

Hamas took about 250 Israelis hostage on 7 October, and it is believed that about 80 are still alive in Gaza.

There was a tense hearing at Israel’s Knesset’s security committee in November about a bill that would mandate the death penalty for terrorists.

The Times of Israel reported that the hearing grew tense as families clashed with hardliners.

Gil Dickmann, whose cousin was taken hostage, broke down in tears and asked leaders of the Knesset National Security Committee that the hearing not take place.

(It is worth noting that the committee is headed by Tzvika Fogel of extremist Otzma Yehudit, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a fellow party member.)

“Please do not have a hearing now on the gallows, please do not have a hearing now on the death penalty. Not when the lives of our loved ones are in the balance, not when the sword is on their necks,” he said, according to the paper. He continued, “Please, choose life and ensure they come home alive and whole.”

Fogel said those who tried to hold up the bill are “representing Hamas.”

Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s extremist finance minister who said he would dissolve the government if the ceasefire is finalized, admitted in February that the hostages were not the top of his agenda.

He was asked by Israel’s Kan public broadcaster if the hostages were in the forefront of his mind. He said no.

“It’s not the most important thing. Why make it a competition? Why is it so important at the moment?" We need to destroy Hamas. That is very important."