Frustrated by stalled ceasefire talks, Israeli entrepreneurs take initiative amid ongoing Gaza war

Frustrated with the stalled ceasefire talks in the ongoing Gaza war, some Israeli entrepreneurs have taken matters into their own hands. Daniel Birnbaum, former CEO of SodaStream, has offered a $100,000 reward to anyone who can secure the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

The bold initiative aims to bypass the diplomatic impasse and tap into the local network, leveraging the potential for civilians unaffiliated with Hamas to provide crucial information.

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Birnbaum’s offer, valid until midnight Wednesday, has already generated around 100 calls, with 10 to 20 considered legitimate and forwarded to Israeli authorities for verification. Interestingly, those who called weren’t primarily motivated by the money; instead, they sought a way out of Gaza. The approach resonates with Birnbaum’s conviction that some civilians, exhausted by the conflict, might be willing to cooperate.

The hostage crisis began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters took 251 people captive, including women, children, and elderly individuals. Today, 97 hostages remain in Gaza, with 34 presumed dead by Israeli officials.

The conflict has claimed 1,206 lives, mostly civilians, and Israel’s retaliatory campaign has resulted in at least 42,603 casualties in Gaza, primarily civilians.

Birnbaum’s private initiative doesn’t have government backing, but he believes the financial reward can be a game-changer. “Whatever we have been doing until now, it’s not working,” he emphasized.

His efforts have inspired others, such as Israeli-American real estate developer David Hager, who has raised $400,000 with the goal of reaching $10 million.

As the situation remains dire, these entrepreneurs’ unconventional approach offers a glimmer of hope. By engaging local civilians and providing incentives, they hope to succeed where diplomatic efforts have stalled