Smotrich claims he saved hostages by opposing earlier Gaza deal

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich asserted on Sunday that the return of hostages is a direct result of his actions, claiming he drew a line with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and played a crucial role in the war's progression.

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I think that without me, the war in Gaza would have ended even before Rafah.

Speaking on Nadav Perry's "All In" podcast, Smotrich stated, "I think that without me, the war in Gaza would have ended even before Rafah." He referenced a deal that emerged after January 2025 negotiations, which he said would have only returned eight hostages. Smotrich insisted he intervened, telling Netanyahu, "there is no such thing," and that "Had I not drawn a red line at that moment... we would still be negotiating with Hamas over one more hostage and then another."

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Had I not drawn a red line at that moment and told Netanyahu, ‘there is no such thing,’ we would still be negotiating with Hamas over one more hostage and then another.

This assertion contrasts with Smotrich's historical stance. In February 2024, he expressed that hostage negotiations were not the war's most important consideration. "Hamas must be destroyed. It is very important, but you also understand that statements such as ‘at any cost’ are a problem," he said at the time. He maintained this position through October 2025, when government officials approved a deal for the remaining hostages' return. Smotrich, along with ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir, Orit Strock, Yitzhak Wasserlauf, and Amichai Eliyahu, opposed this plan.

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Hamas must be destroyed. It is very important, but you also understand that statements such as ‘at any cost’ are a problem.