Jerusalem: Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is under fire from families of hostages in Gaza after stating that the return of captives is not the most important concern for Israel.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Hostage Families Forum expressed their outrage, saying they felt a deep sense of shame over Smotrich's comments. The families accused the Israeli government of having "deliberately decided to give up the hostages," a sentiment echoed in their public statement. They further criticized Smotrich, stating that history would remember his perceived indifference to the plight of Israeli captives in Gaza.

Smotrich has reiterated that retrieving Israeli hostages from Gaza is not a top priority for the government. Current Israeli estimates indicate that there are 59 captives in Gaza, with 24 presumed to be alive. Meanwhile, over 9,500 Palestinians are imprisoned in Israel, with reports of harsh conditions, including torture and medical neglect, as reported by Palestinian and Israeli rights organizations.

The situation has prompted nearly 140,000 Israelis, including military figures, to sign petitions calling for the return of the captives and an end to the conflict in Gaza. Since October 2023, more than 51,200 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in what has been described as a brutal Israeli onslaught.

In light of these events, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice concerning its actions in the enclave.