While visiting Gaza on Tuesday, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu unveiled a $5 million reward for anyone who can assist in securing the release of Israeli hostages currently held by Hamas or other terrorist groups. In addition to the financial incentive, the offer includes a promise of safe passage out of Gaza.
“Whoever brings us a hostage will find an open door for himself and his family to leave, and we will also give a $5 million reward for each hostage,” Netanyahu stated. This follows earlier remarks in which he indicated Israel was willing to pay “several millions” for information or actions leading to their release.
To support this effort, Israel launched an Arabic-language website called Machtoffin (“captives” in Arabic), aimed at collecting intelligence.
The site displays details of the hostages, including their names, photos, and ages. It also provides links to WhatsApp and Telegram channels, along with two phone numbers for people to contact Israeli authorities.
“Call us to provide information on the captives in the Strip and receive a financial reward — contact us on WhatsApp or Telegram,” the website states.
Interestingly, the website lists 136 hostages, a figure that includes individuals who have already been located, either alive or deceased. For instance, the site features Farhan al-Qadi, who was rescued by IDF forces in August.
Other individuals on the site include Noa Argamani, rescued in June, as well as six hostages whose remains were discovered in a Gaza tunnel in August: Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Alex Lobanov, Carmel Gat, and Almog Sarusi. It remains unclear whether these entries are mistakes or part of a broader strategy to obtain additional intelligence.
This initiative is not unprecedented. Last month, Daniel Birnbaum, the former CEO of SodaStream, offered $100,000 to anyone who could help return living hostages to Israel. In a video featuring Arabic subtitles, Birnbaum addressed Gaza residents, offering a monetary reward and immunity. He provided contact information via WhatsApp and Telegram, though his offer was limited to five days.
However, such programs have so far produced no significant results.
Channel 12 reported that these initiatives face challenges, including inaccurate intelligence or operational difficulties during rescue attempts.
Of the 251 individuals kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 attack, 97 are believed to still be held in Gaza, along with the bodies of at least 34 confirmed deceased.
During a ceasefire at the end of November, Hamas released 105 civilians over the course of a week. Before that, four hostages were freed. Additionally, the remains of 37 hostages have been recovered, including three civilians mistakenly killed by Israeli forces during an escape attempt.
{Matzav.com}
Can’t fault them for trying, but there’s very little likelihood that anything can come from this. The would-be “informers” are too scared, and justifiably so