In a stunning and controversial admission, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared on Sunday that returning Israeli hostages held by Hamas is not the government's foremost priority, igniting a political firestorm and sparking fierce public backlash.

Speaking in an explosive interview on Radio Galey Israel, the far-right minister stated bluntly: "We have to say the truth—returning the hostages is not the most important thing."

While he acknowledged that recovering the 59 remaining Israeli captives is a "very important goal," Smotrich stressed that the ultimate mission is the complete and total destruction of Hamas, warning that allowing the terror organization to survive would pave the way for future atrocities like the October 7 massacre.

"If you want to destroy Hamas so that there can’t be another October 7, you need to understand there can’t be a situation where Hamas remains in Gaza," Smotrich said emphatically.

Smotrich's comments align with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s longstanding position that the war must continue until Hamas is utterly dismantled — regardless of mounting international pressure and the heart-wrenching pleas of hostage families.

Smotrich: We have to say the truth, returning the hostages is not the most important thing

— HeadlinesOSINT (@HeadlinesISRAEL) April 21, 2025

Hostage Deal Efforts Collapsing Under the Weight of Reality

The finance minister's incendiary remarks come on the heels of a similarly controversial interview given by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s spokesman, Omer Dostri, to Channel 12 on Saturday evening.

In a candid assessment, Dostri exposed the grim reality: "It is impossible to bring everyone back in one deal—this is spin."

While insisting that no one in the Israeli leadership has abandoned the hostages, Dostri explained that Hamas’s outrageous demands — an end to the war and a total IDF withdrawal from Gaza — make a comprehensive agreement impossible.

Seemingly contradicting Smotrich's statement on Monday, Dostri reiterated Saturday night regarding the government’s priorities: "The order is clear: first, bring the hostages back — then, destroy Hamas."

Of the 196 hostages returned so far, only 147 were recovered alive. Fifty-nine hostages remain in brutal captivity, their fates hanging precariously in the balance.

⚡️Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich:

“We need to tell the truth: returning the “hostages” is not the most important goal. It is, of course, a very, very, very important goal.”

“Let’s make a decision to end Gaza once and for all.” pic.twitter.com/libKw7f03n

— Warfare Analysis (@warfareanalysis) April 21, 2025

Political Earthquake: Lapid and Hostage Families Slam the Government

Opposition leader Yair Lapid did not mince words, accusing the Netanyahu government of "abandoning" the hostages.  "Dostri’s admission is a declaration of defeat. It shakes the world of every hostage family to its core," Lapid charged. "The families deserve truth and action — not excuses and spin."

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum unleashed a scathing statement, blasting Netanyahu and Dostri for prioritizing political survival over the lives of their loved ones: "The overwhelming majority of Israelis support an agreement to bring everyone home — even if it requires stopping the war. Any other suggestion is nothing but cynical spin."

The newly formed Democrats Party piled on the criticism: "If Netanyahu cannot bring everyone back, he must step down. Leave — and we will fix the disaster you have created."

Omer Dostri, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Saturday night clarified that there is currently no option to bring all hostages home in a single deal.

"There is no one who does not want to bring our hostages home," he said. "We are doing everything in… pic.twitter.com/wUGbWl3I1e

— Netanel Worthy - נתנאל וורתי (@NetanelWorthy) April 19, 2025

Media Warfare: Netanyahu's Office Fights Back

Facing a storm of outrage, the Prime Minister's Office launched a counteroffensive on social media, accusing the media of deliberate distortion.

Dostri posted furiously on X (formerly Twitter), claiming that the reports twisted his words: "At no point did I claim it was impossible to return all the hostages. I said it was impossible to bring them all back in a single deal."

Nevertheless, the damage had been done. The public trust continues to erode amid what many see as a government trapped between conflicting objectives: defeating Hamas at all costs while promising to save every captive.

Broader Tensions: Iran, Gaza, and Internal Political Battles

In the same Channel 12 interview, Dostri refused to deny the bombshell New York Times report alleging that former U.S. President Donald Trump had blocked an Israeli military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities during his presidency.

Pressed on the matter, Dostri merely reiterated: "The Prime Minister has been crystal clear: Israel will never allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons."

Adding to the growing political chaos, Dostri also confirmed long-standing rumors that Netanyahu had considered firing Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Ronen Bar as early as November 2024. "Discussions about replacing Ronen Bar began long ago—even if we didn’t publicize it then," he revealed cryptically.

Netanyahu’s spokesman Dr. Omer Dostri said “it is impossible to return everyone with one deal. This is a spin,” in an interview tonight on @N12News’ “Meet the Press.”

He added: “There isn’t anyone who doesn’t want to return our hostages. We are doing everything to return the…

— Amit Segal (@AmitSegal) April 19, 2025

Gaza Aid and Hamas Control: Israel Holding Firm

Finally, Dostri addressed the volatile situation in Gaza, insisting that Israel is not transferring aid to Hamas: "We are ensuring Hamas’s destruction and preparing for a future where others—not terrorists—control Gaza."

This firm stance underscores Israel’s broader strategic objective: eradicating Hamas as a governing and military force, even if it means prolonging the war and leaving hostages in mortal danger for an extended period.