Israel's Smotrich angers captives' families, saying their return 'not the most important goal'

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on Monday that returning the captives is important, but "it's not the most important goal" during an interview with Galei Israel radio station.

"We need to eliminate the Gaza problem. We have a tremendous opportunity, and the excuses are gone: there's no Biden, no [former Defence Minister] Gallant, and no former IDF chief of staff," Smotrich said.

The captives' families slammed the minister's remarks in a statement, saying "the families have only one word this morning: shame."

"The only truth is that [Smotrich] is willing to sacrifice my Matan and an entire country for his messianic and psychotic delusions," said Einav Zangauker, the mother of a captive.