Release Of All Hostages A War Objective: Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that the country was committed to the release of all the hostages taken by Hamas, he called it "one of the aims of the war".

After the first batch of Israelis was released from captivity in Gaza on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the country is committed to the return of all the hostages, which is "one of the aims of the war" with Hamas, reported news agency ANI.

In a video message posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Netanyahu said, "We have just completed the return of the first group of our hostages: children, their mothers, and additional women. Each of them represents an entire world."

He reiterated the country’s commitment to the hostage deal and stated, "But I emphasize to you, the families, and to the citizens of Israel, we are committed to the return of all the hostages. This is one of the aims of the war, and we are committed to achieving all the aims of the war.”

On the first day of a planned four-day truce, Hamas released 13 hostages, including four children and their mothers, along with five elderly women. They were among approximately 240 people abducted by gunmen from the Hamas, who attacked southern Israel on October 7.

Alongside the Israeli hostages, 10 Thais and one Filipino, who were taken captive at the same time, were also freed under a separate agreement, according to Qatari mediators cited by Reuters. Once released, the hostages underwent medical evaluation. Medical professionals stated that they appeared to be in good physical condition and were undergoing further evaluations.

Under the Qatar-brokered agreement, at least 50 Israeli hostages are scheduled to be exchanged and expected to be freed in the coming days. If the truce is extended, more hostages could be released.

The Israel Defence Forces stated that the released hostages will continue to be accompanied by IDF soldiers as they make their way to Israeli hospitals. Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated the nation's commitment to returning all the hostages from Gaza.

In exchange, 39 Palestinian women and minors detained by Israel were released on Friday, marking the first of a group of 150 who are due to be freed from Israeli detention under the agreement.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced in a statement posted on X that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant will closely monitor the management of the operation to bring the Israelis who have been released from Hamas captivity.