Netanyahu offers $6.7m for each Gaza hostage freed

Israelis have accused him of not prioritising the release of captives and prolonging war

Ceasefire talks to end the fighting in the Gaza Strip are stalled. Casualties in the enclave are mounting.

And families of hostages captured from Israel in the Hamas-led attack that ignited the war have grown increasingly desperate about the plight of their relatives in captivity.

After all the sticks Israel has wielded, it has decided to find out if carrots can make a difference.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Nov 19 repeated his vow that Israel would hunt down and punish anyone who hurts a hostage, but he added a new promise: Israel will give a generous reward to anyone who returns a captive, paying US$5 million (S$6.7 million) and providing safe passage out of Gaza.

"I want to say to those who are holding our hostages: Whoever dares to harm our hostages will pay the price. We will pursue you, and we will find you," Mr Netanyahu told Israeli troops on a visit to the Gaza Strip.

"To those who want to leave this entanglement, I say: Whoever brings us a hostage will find a safe way out for himself and his family," he added. "We will also give US$5 million for every hostage."

The reward offer comes as members of Mr Netanyahu's office face scrutiny for allegedly leaking classified documents to influence public opinion, quell a popular push for a ceasefire that would win the hostages' release, and promote the Prime Minister's negotiating positions.