Bereaved Father Accuses Finance Minister Smotrich of Blocking Hostage Release Deals

Rabbi Elhanan Danino, father of Uri Danino who was killed while held captive by Hamas, spoke on 103FM about the hostage negotiations and government involvement. He revealed that during the time his son was held in Gaza, he received information from decision-making centers, including the cabinet and security agencies. Danino described how a parent negotiating with Turkey for their child's release was abruptly warned by Mossad to stop or was detained.

Danino responded to remarks by retired Major General Nitzan Alon, saying the revelations did not surprise him. He accused Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of delaying progress on hostage release deals, based on prior conversations with government officials handling the matter. Danino claimed Smotrich threatened to dissolve the government if any deal, even for a single hostage, was reached.

He also recounted a personal confrontation with Smotrich over the minister's social media posts, which Danino said repeatedly crushed the hope of hostage families and harmed the captives themselves. Danino said, "As a Torah scholar to another, I asked him, ‘Do you call yourself God-fearing? My children die every day because of your tweets. Stop.’" He added that other families shared this sentiment and described Smotrich's statements as incomprehensible and destructive.

Danino's comments highlight ongoing tensions within the Israeli government and among families over the handling of hostage negotiations with Hamas, underscoring the emotional toll and political complexities involved.