After meeting families, PM says returning hostages 'a sacred and supreme mission'

After meeting with the families of Israelis being held hostage in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stresses his commitment to securing their release, calling it “a sacred and supreme mission.”

“We will not let up until they are returned, and this is the responsibility of me and the war cabinet,” he says in a statement.

“I listened to the pain of the families. We spoke heart to heart. I shared with them as much as I could about the diplomatic, intelligence and operational efforts we are leading around the clock,” the premier continues, adding that he thinks about the hostages “all the time.”

“We will not stop fighting until we bring our hostages home, destroy Hamas and ensure there will no longer be a threat from Gaza.”