Unlike The PM And The Israeli Minister, The Leader Of The Lapid Opposition: We Will Do Anything To Take It Home

JAKARTA - opposition leader Yair Lapid expressed his commitment to the hostages detained by Hamas, doing whatever it takes to bring them home, in contrast to what was conveyed by the Israeli prime minister and finance minister.

Lapid said, "the path to victory begins with our commitment to the hostages", in contrast to what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said.

"This is a part that distinguishes us from our enemies," Lapid said, quoted by The Times of Israel on February 21.

"Hamas doesn't care if the people are killed. But we will do whatever it takes to make sure our children and parents return home," he said.

As previously reported, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Finance Minister Smotrich said on Tuesday, Israel would not pay any price for the return of hostages still detained in Gaza, amid ongoing negotiations to guarantee their release.

Asked about the 134 hostages who were still in Gaza, Smotrich told Kan Radio their return was "very important", but they could not be released "by any means".

He said the way to free them was to increase military pressure on Gaza and defeat Hamas, the militant group that controls the enclave.

His remarks came under fire from opposition leader Yair Lapid and Minister Benny Gantz, as well as angered several hostages' families who tried to increase pressure on the government to reach an agreement.

But shortly after the radio interview, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office published a statement echoing Smotrich's position.

"There is a lot of pressure on Israel from within and outside the country to stop the war before we reach all our goals, including a deal to free the hostages at any price," Prime Minister Netanyahu said.

"We are not willing to pay any price, of course not the price Hamas has asked for, which means defeat to the Israeli state," he said.