Israeli Right Wing Minister Wants Hostage Status To Be Turned Into A War Brawl To Beat Hamas

Release of Israeli hostages. (Source: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

JAKARTA - Minister of Cultural Heritage Amicay Eliyahu suggested that Israel define 50 hostages who are expected to remain in the Gaza Strip, as "awares", not hostages, which will allow their release to be postponed until the "victory" is reached over Hamas.

"The hostages must be defined as prisoners of war. Prisoners of war are only handled after victory is achieved," said the minister of the right-wing ultranationalist Otzma Baddit to Radio Kol Chai, as reported by The Times of Israel on July 30.

"First, Hamas must be defeated," he said.

He further regretted that, according to him, the government was "confused" about its strategy in Gaza, saying this had caused the hostages to be "trapped" longer than they should have been.

"Many people prioritize the hostages over victory, this is a mistake," said Eliyahu.

"I call for the release of prisoners of war after the defeat (Hamas), not before," he said.

The far-right lawmaker also urged Israel to apply sovereignty in the Gaza Strip, claiming it "would be good for Jews and Arabs."

"Gaza should belong to Jews, and so Arabs will also be better off," he said.

To note, Eliyahu himself has drawn anger over other comments about Gaza in the past.