Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Monday in Washington with the families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, telling them that military pressure on the terrorist group was creating the conditions for their return.
The meeting, which included Netanyahu's wife Sara, took place on the day that the couple arrived in Washington, where the premier will address a joint session of Congress on Wednesday.
"We are determined to return everyone. The conditions to bring them back are ripe, for the simple reason that we are putting very strong pressure on Hamas. We are seeing a certain change, and I think this change will continue to grow. We intend to do it—this is a war objective," said Netanyahu according to his office.
Twenty-three relatives of hostages, including 12 of U.S. citizens being held in Gaza, were at the meeting. Freed hostage Noa Argamani and her father Yaakov were also present, as were two soldiers who fought in Gaza in the current war against Hamas. Relatives who lost loved ones fighting in Gaza were also there.
Of the 120 hostages remaining in the Strip, 116 were abducted during the Oct. 7 Hamas-led massacre (the other four were captured earlier). The figure includes both living and deceased men, women and children.
The Israel Defense Forces on Monday confirmed the deaths of two Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity in Gaza. Alexander Dancyg, 76, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz, while Yagev Buchshtab, 35, was taken from Kibbutz Nirim. Both were captured during Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with the families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in Washington on July 22, 2024. Photo by Amos Ben Gershon/GPO.
"This is an important visit that will give us an opportunity to bring to the representatives of the American people the importance of their support for the efforts we are making, together with them, to bring about the release of all the abductees—both the living and the dead," Netanyahu said during Monday's meeting, adding that he had been informed of the two hostage deaths.
The prime minister is expected to meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris separately during his Washington trip. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will likely be in attendance during the Biden meeting. Netanyahu is also reportedly seeking to meet with former president Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for the White House.
Netanyahu stressed that any ceasefire agreement with Hamas must not come at the expense of victory against the terrorist group.
"I am in no way ready to give up the victory over Hamas. If we give it up, we are in danger against the entire evil axis of Iran," the premier said.
"Regarding the deal—the conditions are maturing, without a doubt. This is a good sign, and the other sign is that we also see a break in the spirit of the enemy beginning. I believe if we stick with it we can get a deal. I say in advance that this is a process, unfortunately it is not all at once, there will be stages—but I believe that we can advance the deal and leave the levers in our hands to bring about the release of the others. This is the direction we are going."
Israeli delegation to depart for hostage talks on Thursday
An Israeli delegation is scheduled to set off on Thursday for ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced on Sunday night.
“Today, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an in-depth discussion on the hostage issue together with the negotiation team and senior security officials,” according to the PMO statement.
The announcement did not specify where the talks would be held; previous negotiation rounds have been held in Doha and Cairo.
In a separate statement on Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant commended Netanyahu for the decision to resume the talks.
“As a result of our military achievements during this war, the conditions have been created, and a limited window of opportunity has opened to establish a framework for the release of the hostages,” said Gallant. “The defense establishment backs you in your mission to bring about a deal.”
Netanyahu has publicly stressed that “in every scenario,” Israel will continue to control southern Gaza’s Rafah Crossing and Philadelphi Corridor, the 8.7-mile-long border area between the Strip and Egypt.
