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Bereaved Father Accuses Finance Minister Smotrich of Blocking Hostage Release Deals

How 3 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.

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First reported by Walla · Jul 2, 2026

What happened

Rabbi Elhanan Danino, father of a Hamas captive killed in Gaza, accused Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of obstructing hostage release negotiations and harming families through social media. He revealed insider details about government talks and criticized Smotrich's threats to dissolve the government if deals proceeded.

01Rabbi Elhanan Danino accused Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of delaying hostage release deals with Hamas.
02Danino received insider information from government and security sources during his son's captivity in Gaza.
03A parent negotiating with Turkey for a hostage release was warned by Mossad to stop or was detained.
04Smotrich allegedly threatened to dismantle the government if any hostage deal was made.
05Danino confronted Smotrich over harmful social media posts affecting hostage families and captives.
06Other families reportedly share Danino's view that Smotrich's statements destroy hope and morale.

Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.

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