Israeli Entrepreneurs Offer Millions for Hostage Release in Gaza

Private sector initiatives aim to secure the freedom of 97 hostages still held by Hamas, with financial incentives reaching up to $10 million.

Daniel Birnbaum, former CEO of SodaStream, has pledged $100,000 per hostage to any Gaza resident who can secure their release, valid until October 23, 2024.
The initiative has garnered significant attention, with over 100 responses, though only 10 to 20 are considered potentially legitimate.
David Hager, an Israeli-American real estate developer, has joined the effort, raising $400,000 with the goal of reaching $10 million.
Despite the financial incentives, experts and local residents express skepticism about the effectiveness of these offers in achieving significant results.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has also offered safe passage to Palestinians who release hostages, though this is seen as unlikely to succeed without tangible exchanges.