Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is offering cash and a free pass out of the Gaza Strip to any Hamas member who releases hostages held inside the Palestinian enclave.
Mr. Netanyahu put the idea in motion Sunday during a meeting with his top security officials, according to a report from Israel’s Channel 12 news.
“The proposal includes two main components: free passage abroad, both for the kidnappers themselves and their families. The second component is financial — a payment of millions of dollars for each abductee,” Channel 12 reported.
The cash is an added inducement to the proposal that Mr. Netanyahu made after Hamas terror leader Yahya Sinwar was killed last month.
“I call on anyone who holds our hostages, whoever lays down his weapon and returns our hostages, we will allow him to leave and live,” the prime minister announced.
Dozens of hostages — including at least seven Americans — are in Gaza out of about 250 abducted on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas launched its rampage into southern Israel.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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