Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu of Otzma Yehudit stated on Thursday that former hostage negotiations coordinator Maj.-Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon bears responsibility for those killed and abducted in the October 7 Hamas attack.

The far-right minister delivered these comments on the 1,000-day anniversary of the massacre during an Army Radio interview.

"He is responsible for the people who were kidnapped," Eliyahu said regarding Alon, claiming the former coordinator held accountability "because of an approach that positioned the terrorists along the border fence."

"Had we listened to Nitzan Alon, Hamas would now be positioned on the fences opposite the communities," Eliyahu continued.

During Alon's two-year tenure as lead coordinator for returning Israeli hostages held by Hamas, he at times backed proposed hostage agreements. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government rejected the proposed terms.

Alon: 'Alternative decisions and talks might have brought them back alive'

The Otzma Yehudit Party, headed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, consistently opposed hostage deals. In January 2025, Otzma Yehudit exited the coalition due to disagreement over a ceasefire agreement.

Eliyahu was among the ministers who submitted his resignation to Netanyahu from his position at that time.

Eliyahu's comments targeting Alon followed his Wednesday statement that the Israel-Hamas War could have concluded a year earlier, and that extending the conflict unnecessarily may have caused the deaths of many soldiers and up to 40 hostages.

Another far-right party opposing the hostage deal was the Religious Zionist Party led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Smotrich claimed credit this week for the return of the hostages, remarks that sparked outrage from bereaved family members and attack victims.

Alon also criticized Smotrich's statements, noting: "Even when discussing the return of all hostages, about 40 who were taken alive were killed and murdered, some by our own forces, others by their captors, and some could not endure the conditions of captivity.

"Different decisions and negotiations could have brought them back alive. That is certain, and we must not forget it," he added.

Alon dismissed the notion that Netanyahu, Smotrich, and the cabinet deserve credit for insisting on returning all hostages rather than accepting interim partial deals.

Yashar! Party leader Gadi Eisenkot, a leading rival to Netanyahu in upcoming elections, condemned Eliyahu's remarks. He argued the government seeks to avoid accountability for the massacre and its involvement in the attacks.

"One thousand days since the gravest failure in the history of the State of Israel. A minister in the government of failure dares to smear and lie, falsely accusing someone of the massacre who was not in office that morning but immediately reported to assist," Eisenkot stated.

Eisenkot also praised Alon, describing him as a hero of Israel who contributed to the rescue of the hostages "in stark contrast to an irresponsible minister and his party colleagues who opposed deals to save hostages."

"He fought for the lives of the hostages and has a decisive contribution to their return."

Eisenkot noted that Eliyahu's remarks were "not a slip of the tongue: it is the messaging sheet of the October 7 government."

No formal investigation of the Oct. 7 government yet, Eisenkot blames Netanyahu

Eisenkot then listed Netanyahu and cabinet members as responsible for the massacre. Among those named were Smotrich, Ben-Gvir, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and Transportation Minister Miri Regev.

Netanyahu remains among the only major officials who have not resigned following the October 7 massacre.

The political echelon has repeatedly blocked a state inquiry into the events surrounding the attacks, despite polls showing strong public support for such an investigation.

One thousand days after the massacre, no probe to examine the government's role in the attacks has been established amid an ongoing dispute over the type of investigation and its leadership.

The coalition has advanced a contentious bill promoting a new political investigative framework that differs from the traditional independent state commission of inquiry mechanism overseen by the Supreme Court.

Netanyahu also released a 55-page document in February outlining answers he provided to State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman as part of the investigation into the October 7 Hamas attack.

The prime minister's answers point to failures among officials in the security establishment and appear to deflect his role in the outcome of the attacks. Opposition leader Yair Lapid has accused Netanyahu of manipulating and selectively editing the documents to evade responsibility.

Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.