Photo: Reuters file
As the prospects for a ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza war, which marked its one-year anniversary earlier this month, remain bleak, some wealthy Israeli entrepreneurs have devised an alternative strategy to secure the release of hostages — offering financial incentives for their freedom. Former SodaStream CEO Daniel Birnbaum revealed on Monday that he had received approximately 100 calls following his announcement on X (formerly Twitter) that he would provide $100,000 in cash or bitcoin to "anyone who delivers a living Israeli prisoner from Gaza." The ex-chairman of the Israel-based soda company clarified that his offer would remain valid until "midnight Wednesday." Birnbaum noted that while most of the calls were either pranks, threats, or curses, he believed that "10 to 20 could be legitimate" and forwarded these to Israeli authorities for further investigation. He observed that those who contacted him were "more focused on escaping (Gaza) than on the money." Given the large number of hostages, Birnbaum speculated that some civilians not affiliated with Hamas must possess information about the captives' locations. "There might be civilians who feel enough is enough and want to live," he said. Militants captured 251 people during the October 7, 2023, attack orchestrated by Hamas. Of these, 97 remain held in Gaza, including 34 who Israeli officials claim are deceased. "I'm not expecting to get everyone back (but) I'd be delighted if we got back just one hostage," Birnbaum stated. He emphasized that he did not seek permission from the Israeli government, asserting that "the element of a financial reward should come from the private sector, let's see if it works. Whatever we have been doing until now, it's not working." Upon learning of Birnbaum's initiative, Israeli-American real estate developer David Hager also began raising funds. He informed Israel's Channel 12 on Sunday that he had already collected around $400,000 with the help of friends, each of whom "offered $100,000." Hager appealed to other businessmen to contribute, aiming to reach $10 million. Hager, who amassed his wealth in the United States, noted that "there are IT guys here who have made huge sums, and this is small money for them." Following the recent death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Thursday that Palestinians who surrendered their weapons and returned captives would be allowed to live. Flyers dropped over Gaza by the Israeli army in subsequent days guaranteed that "whoever lays down their arms and returns the hostages will be able to leave (Gaza)... in peace." The Israeli army has been dropping thousands of such flyers since the war's inception, seeking information about hostages. Muhammad al-Najjar, a resident of northern Gaza who fled to the southern city of Khan Yunis to escape an ongoing Israeli military operation, asserted that such offers from the Israeli army were destined to fail. "As a people, we don't pay attention to anything the (Israeli army) publishes or distributes," he said, adding that some residents use the flyers as kindling for fires in the shortage-stricken coastal territory. Najjar, 33, believes that "Hamas will not agree to release the hostages without something in return" and emphasized the need for a negotiated ceasefire to ensure the captives' freedom. During a one-week truce in November last year, 105 hostages were released, including 80 Israelis in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. All efforts to secure a new ceasefire have since failed, with both sides blaming each other for stalling negotiations.
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