Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu addressed the Israeli public on Friday, speaking shortly after the implementation phase of the historic plan to free the remaining hostages and bring an end to the Gaza war officially began. He described the moment as “a tremendous achievement” for the nation.
“We mark today one of our tremendous achievements in the War of Redemption: the return of all of the hostages, both the living and the deceased,” Netanyahu said in his televised remarks. “This is a crucial goal which we have insisted upon throughout the war.”
Netanyahu underscored that Israel’s government had delivered on its pledge to bring every captive home. “Throughout the two years that have passed since the beginning of the war, I have promised to the families of the hostages – and also promised to you, the citizens of Israel – that we will return everyone, with no exceptions. We made that promise and we are keeping our promise.”
He emphasized that even in the face of immense pressure from both within Israel and the international community to halt military action, he refused to waver from the mission. “I had to face enormous pressure, both domestic and foreign… yet, I steadfastly resisted all that pressure, because my focus was on one single consideration: Israel’s security.”
The Prime Minister attributed the success of the deal to a combination of sustained military operations, diplomatic leverage, and close collaboration with President Donald Trump. “I believed that if we apply heavy military pressure on Hamas, combined with heavy diplomatic pressure, we will indeed be able to return all of our hostages. And that’s exactly what we did,” Netanyahu said.
He noted that before President Trump took office, 158 hostages had been brought back, including 117 who survived. After Trump’s involvement, another 49 hostages — both living and deceased — were returned. Netanyahu explained that the final phase now underway would secure the return of the remaining 48 captives, consisting of 20 living and 28 deceased.
“Hamas only agreed to this deal when it felt the sword on its neck – and the sword remains on its neck,” Netanyahu asserted, crediting Israel’s ongoing military presence in Gaza and its diplomatic efforts to isolate the terror group for compelling Hamas to accept the terms.
Growing visibly emotional, Netanyahu recalled his personal encounters with families of the hostages. He said he and his wife had been profoundly touched by their strength and anguish, pledging that the remains of the fallen would be laid to rest according to Jewish tradition — calling this “a sacred duty of communal responsibility.”
He went on to express heartfelt appreciation for the bravery and determination of Israel’s soldiers and security forces who fought throughout the conflict. Netanyahu also extended thanks to President Trump and his envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, for their leadership and partnership in advancing the plan.
In closing, Netanyahu referenced the biblical prophecy of consolation to Rachel, linking it to the mission’s name. “The name of the operation, ‘Returning Home’, is a paraphrase of the promise given to Our Mother Rachel… ‘and your children shall return to their own border.’ Our sons and daughters shall return home.”
“Together, we will overcome the challenges; together, we will fulfil the opportunities; together, we will complete our missions; together, we will expand the circle of peace around us,” Netanyahu concluded.
