Israeli P. M. announces $5 million bounty for prisoners released from Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister (P. M.) Benjamin Netanyahu, on November 19, 2024, announced that $5 million would be awarded as a reward for every prisoner freed from Gaza.

Netanyahu made the announcement of the incentive offer during his brief visit to Gaza on Tuesday.

He was reportedly shown the Israeli military’s Netzarim Corridor – a crucial access road and buffer zone built by Israel’s army to divide northern Gaza from the southern part.

He also revealed that those who assist in the release of Israelis detained by Hamas will be granted access out of the war-torn Palestinian territory.

“To those who want to leave this entanglement, I say: Whoever brings us a hostage, will find a safe way out for himself and his family.

“We will also give $5m for every hostage”, Netanyahu said.

“The choice is yours but the result will be the same: We will bring them all back”, he added.

There are still 101 prisoners in Gaza

According to Israel, there are still 101 prisoners in Gaza.

However, about one-third of that number is now thought to have perished, report says.

Netanyahu’s prize offer comes as relatives of prisoners and others who support them continue to demonstrate in large numbers around Israel.

These demonstrators urge that the prime minister negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in order to rescue their loved ones.

Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that the only way to free all of the prisoners is by military action.

The P. M. also disclosed that Israel will keep up its war on Gaza until that goal is accomplished.

Families of the captives have criticized the Netanyahu administration of not doing enough to negotiate a ceasefire.

P. M. former aide leaking confidential information

A former aide to Netanyahu was detained on accusations of leaking confidential information to international media.

This was reported to be in an apparent attempt to thwart a previous ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

According to analysts, Netanyahu has repeatedly sabotaged the prospect of an end to the fighting in Gaza.

This is because doing so would probably result in the fall of his ultranationalist and far-right government, analysts assert.

They further opined that it could lead to the opening of an official probe into the security lapses committed by Netanyahu and other Israeli officials prior to the October 7 Hamas attack.

Netanyahu is being investigated for corruption as well.

Hamas has long criticized Israeli ceasefire negotiators of not being serious about reaching a settlement to stop the Gaza fight.

Netanyahu also declared on Tuesday that Hamas would never again rule the Palestinian region.

He described the Israeli military as “doing a wonderful job” in Gaza.

“Here, in the central Gaza Strip and throughout the Gaza Strip, they have achieved excellent results,” Netanyahu reportedly said.

“And the best is yet to come.

“Hamas will no longer exist in Gaza,” he stated.

Israel‘s actions exhibited traits of genocide – UN special committee

Last week, A UN special committee looking into Israel’s conflict in Gaza declared that Israel’s actions exhibited traits of genocide.

The committee reportedly continued by accusing the nation of “using starvation as a method of war” against Palestinian inhabitants within the region.

According to the committee, Israel has caused “mass civilian casualties and life-threatening conditions” for Palestinians.

“Since the beginning of the war, Israeli officials have publicly supported policies that strip Palestinians of the very necessities required to sustain life – food, water, and fuel.”

Nearly 44,000 Palestinians have died and over 104,000 have been injured in Israel’s attack on the land.

Group of 20 major economies calls for ceasefire

Leaders of the Group of 20 major economies meeting in Rio de Janeiro also called for “comprehensive” ceasefires in Gaza on Monday.

In a statement, the leaders expressed “deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation” in Gaza as well as concern over the “escalation in Lebanon”.

He called for a ceasefire enabling “citizens to return safely to their homes” in both southern Lebanon and northern Israel.

“Comprehensive” ceasefires in Gaza were also demanded Monday by leaders of the Group of 20 major economies meeting in Rio de Janeiro.

The leaders issued a statement expressing their “deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation” in Gaza and their “escalation in Lebanon.”

In order to allow “citizens to return safely to their homes,” he demanded a truce in both northern Israel and southern Lebanon.

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