Israeli military offers cash rewards for information on hostages in Gaza

In a controversial move, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have begun sending text messages to Palestinians in Gaza offering cash rewards in exchange for any information about Israeli hostages. The messages, written in Arabic, urge recipients to come forward with reliable information about the abducted individuals or their abductors in exchange for a valuable cash reward.

The text messages contain two phone numbers for contact and a link to a website, machtoffin.com, where one can find pictures, names, and ages of the Israeli hostages. This initiative comes amidst a backdrop of heightened tensions and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with 70% of the population already experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger, according to a recent UN-backed report.

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The hostages in question were taken by Hamas following an attack on Israel last year, with many of them still believed to be held in Gaza. Out of the 130 hostages taken on October 7, 33 are reported to have died. CNN has reached out to the IDF for comment on this new development.