IDF offering Palestinians rewards for information on hostages in Gaza

The Israeli military is offering rewards to Palestinians who have information on the hostages being held in Gaza by the militant group Hamas.

“If your will is to live in peace and to have a better future for your children, do the humanitarian deed immediately and share verified and valuable information about hostages being held in your area,” the Israel Defense Forces wrote on X, formerly Twitter. 

The military noted it will devote its maximum effort to providing security and financial rewards and guaranteed “complete confidentiality” to those who submit information on the hostages. 

Hamas militants took more than 200 people as hostages during its initial attacks in Israel on Oct. 7, including many believed to be civilians. At least four hostages have been released so far as officials from multiple countries negotiate for their release.

The military’s request for help from the public comes as it mulls a potential ground invasion into Gaza. The U.S. has reportedly advised Israel to delay an invasion, arguing the delay could help release the 200 hostages still under Hamas control, a U.S. official told The Associated Press Tuesday on the condition of anonymity.

Israeli officials have been signaling it will launch a ground invasion for days but have yet to lay out a specific timetable. Some U.S. lawmakers and humanitarian groups have warned that a ground invasion could worsen the conditions in Gaza, where supplies like food, water and fuel, continue to run low.

Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) warned an Israeli ground invasion into Gaza “would be catastrophic for innocent Palestinians in Gaza and jeopardize urgent efforts to save hostages.”

Comments like those from Welch and the U.S. official who spoke to The Associated Press follow President Biden’s remarks from Tel Aviv last week, in which he cautioned Israel against making the same mistakes the U.S. made following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“Justice must be done,” Biden said. “But I caution this: While you feel that rage, don’t be consumed by it. After 9/11, we were enraged in the United States. While we sought justice and got justice, we also made mistakes.”

Israel has ramped up its airstrike campaign in Gaza in recent days, launching more than 400 strikes on the area Tuesday alone. The IDF said it was targeting Hamas leadership and military sites, but the strikes have also killed an increasing number of citizens. 

More than 5,000 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 2,000 children, according to the Hamas-led Gaza Health Ministry. About 1,400 Israelis also died in the violence, mostly in the Hamas surprise attack more than two weeks ago.