Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre: The earthquake hit at a depth of 58 kilometers, warning of potentially hazardous tsunami waves.
European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre: A 7.4-magnitude earthquake strikes the Mindanao region in the Philippines.
Cuban Foreign Ministry: The clear objective of this escalation is to overthrow the constitutional government of President Nicolás Maduro and install a Washington-aligned authority.
Cuban Foreign Ministry: We warn against the growing escalation by the United States against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Venezuela's request comes in response to the escalation of aggression and the unprecedented US military deployment in the Caribbean.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Venezuelan government has officially requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli artillery shells the northwest of Nuseirat Camp in central Gaza Strip.
Israeli media: The ceasefire has come into effect.
Palestinian media: Israeli occupation forces storm Balata camp in the eastern part of the city of Nablus.
Reuters, citing senior US officials: The United States will deploy 200 troops as part of a joint task force to ensure stability in Gaza.

Israeli captive families slam Gaza plan, as Smotrich vows 'occupation'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Israeli media
  • 5 May 2025 15:44
4 Min Read

As families of Israeli captives accuse the government of prioritizing territory over lives, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich insists there will be no withdrawal from Gaza, even for a deal.

Listen
  • x
  • Israeli captive families slam Gaza plan, as Smotrich vows 'occupation'
    People take part in a protest demanding the immediate release of captives held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, on Saturday, April 19, 2025 (AP)

Families of the Israeli captives held in the Gaza Strip accused the government on Monday of sacrificing the remaining captives through the newly approved military escalation plan.

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum, which represents the majority of families whose relatives are held in Gaza, issued a strong rebuke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, accusing it of abandoning the captives in favor of a political agenda focused on territorial control.

The statement came in response to an announcement by an "Israeli official" that the cabinet-approved operations plan includes the “conquering of Gaza and holding territories.”

The forum condemned the move as the "Smotrich-Netanyahu war plan," pointing out that it prioritizes ideological goals over the urgent humanitarian objective of recovering the captives in Gaza.

Agreement with Hamas only viable option

The families of the captives fear that the current escalation puts their relatives' lives in danger and undermines the chances of a Gaza prisoner exchange deal.

Former Israeli military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi previously informed the families that military operations alone are insufficient for the captives' safe return, stressing that an agreement with Hamas remains the only viable option.

“The government admitted this morning that it is choosing territory over hostages,” the statement read, “and this is against the will of over 70% of the people.”

Recent polling supports the forum’s claim, showing a clear majority of the Israeli public would prefer a deal for the captives' release, even if it requires ending the war on Gaza.

Read more: 'Israel' plans to control Gaza humanitarian aid amid UN rejection: WP

Smotrich says 'Israel' will 'finally' occupy Gaza

Related News

'Israel' approves Trump's Gaza ceasefire, captive deal

Iran will support any initiative that ends Gaza genocide: Exclusive

But extremist ministers such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich continue to advocate for using the war to restore Israeli settlements in the Palestinian enclave.

In a provocative statement, Smotrich declared that "Israel" will not withdraw from the Gaza Strip under any circumstances, including the possibility of a new prisoner exchange deal.

Speaking at a conference hosted by Besheva newspaper, Smotrich openly called for the full reoccupation of Gaza, framing it as a necessary step in the war effort.

“We are finally going to occupy the Gaza Strip. We will stop being afraid of the word ‘occupation,’” Smotrich said in an interview with Israeli Channel 12 journalist Amit Segal.

Smotrich opposes any retreat from Gaza

The Israeli finance minister asserted that there would be “no retreat from the territories we have conquered, not even in exchange for hostages.”

He claimed the only way to release the captives is by completely subduing Hamas, warning, “Any retreat will bring about the next October 7.”

“Once as we occupy and stay [in Gaza] we can talk about sovereignty. But I did not demand that this be included among the goals of the war. First, we will defeat Hamas and prevent it from existing,” Smotrich explained.

Currently, the Palestinian Resistance is holding 59 captives, including 58 taken during the October 7, 2023, operation. Among them are the bodies of at least 35 individuals confirmed dead by the Israeli occupation military.

Read more: 'Israel' intensifies attacks on Gaza as death toll exceeds 52,000

'Israel' had postponed expanding Gaza op. due to Trump's visit

The Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that the central goal of the military campaign—retrieving captives—has not been achieved, pointing out that Hamas’ position in negotiations remains unchanged.

It said that despite some calls for a full-scale assault, the Israeli government settled on a limited immediate operation, aimed at increasing pressure on Hamas brigades and pushing civilians into so-called humanitarian zones.

According to Maariv, "Israel" had postponed broader escalation out of respect for US President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to the region.

The report also noted operational and political factors delaying a wider campaign, including the need to complete training for reserve units and ongoing hopes that mediator Qatar, under Trump’s influence, might pressure Hamas toward a deal.

Read more: Captive families say Netanyahu 'criminal against his own people'

  • Gaza Strip
  • Palestine
  • Israel
  • Benjamin Netanyahu
  • Bezalel Smotrich
  • Gaza
  • Israeli captives

Most Read

A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025
The Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza showed that after combating Israeli aggression for two years, they remain victorious in the face of oppression (Mahdi Rteil/Al Mayadeen English)

Al-Aqsa Flood two years on, a tale of victory

  • Politics
  • 6 Oct 2025
President Donald Trump walks from Marine One after arriving on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump sets record-low refugee cap in new immigration policy shift

  • Politics
  • 4 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
Displaced Palestinians watch smoke rise after Israeli military strikes as they gather on the coastal road near Wadi Gaza, in the central Gaza Strip, Thursday, October 9, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli occupation bombs Gaza home, killing 4 and wounding 9

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, right, visit the site of a shooting attack at a bus stop in al-Quds, Monday, September 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ben-Gvir warns will topple Netanyahu’s govt over Hamas

Head of Hamas in Gaza Khalil al-Hayya speaks during an interview with AP, in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, April 24, 2024 (AP)
Politics

Deal reached for permanent Gaza ceasefire, end to war: Al-Hayya

Yemeni Ansar Allah leader Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi during his speech on Thursday, Ocotber 9, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)
Politics

Sayyed al-Houthi: Yemen on alert as Gaza ceasefire takes effect

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS