By Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared during a rare visit to Gaza Tuesday that Hamas would be permanently removed from power in the Palestinian enclave, while announcing substantial rewards for information leading to hostage releases.
During the high-profile visit alongside Israel’s defense minister and army chief, Netanyahu announced a $5 million reward for the return of each of the 101 hostages believed to remain in Gaza, issuing both promises and warnings to potential intermediaries.
“Anyone who dares to harm our hostages will have blood on their head. We will hunt you down and get you,” Netanyahu stated in a recorded message. He offered protection to those who might assist, adding, “Whoever brings us a hostage will find a safe way, he and his family, to get out. Choose, the choice is yours, but the result will be the same. We’ll get them all back.”
The Israeli leader received operational briefings during his visit and asserted that Israeli forces had successfully dismantled Hamas’s military capabilities. His statements underscore Israel’s determination to reshape Gaza’s political landscape following the conflict’s conclusion, though specific post-war governance plans were not detailed.
