Smotrich Claims Credit for Keeping All Hostages Alive Amid Gaza Conflict

Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated in a June 28, 2026 interview with Nadav Perry on "All In" that he believes his actions have been crucial in ensuring all hostages remain alive during the ongoing Gaza conflict. He explained that after a previous prisoner exchange in January 2025, 20 hostages were still alive, and a new deal was emerging to release eight more. Smotrich said he drew a "red line" with Prime Minister Netanyahu, refusing to halt military operations inside Gaza just to improve negotiation positions, which he claims prevented ongoing talks with Hamas and helped keep the hostages alive.

Smotrich also discussed his strained relations with ultra-Orthodox parties, expressing strong criticism and saying he does not respect them, asserting he has "more Torah and more connection to the land" than they do. He recounted a personal breaking point with the ultra-Orthodox community when his eldest son was married during the war's early days. His wife visited Bnei Brak and returned shocked by the normalcy there despite the conflict, describing it as "a state within a state" where life continued with celebrations and shopping despite the war.

The minister further criticized ultra-Orthodox MK Yitzhak Goldknopf for dismissing those who do not study Torah, emphasizing that he represents only Torah learners. Smotrich revealed he has not visited his ultra-Orthodox family for three years due to his anger over their stance during the war. He also claimed that the religious Zionist scholars are not inferior in greatness to those of the ultra-Orthodox sector.

Smotrich’s remarks highlight his influential role in the current conflict strategy and his ongoing political and ideological tensions with ultra-Orthodox factions in Israel.