At memorial, Katz vows to bring home all the hostages

Speaking at a memorial event for fallen soldiers whose burial places are unknown, Defense Minister Israel Katz vows to return all of the hostages still held by Hamas, including those killed.

“Just as we managed to bring Oron Shaul back and lay him to rest, we are obliged to continue to turn every stone and make every possible effort to bring home our fallen, and of course all the hostages, held by the vile people in the Gaza Strip,” he says, referring to a soldier killed in Gaza in 2014, whose remains were recently recovered in an IDF operation.

“The ceasefire agreement with the murderous Hamas, and the heavy prices Israel paid, and is willing to continue to pay, within its implementation, are intended to bring about the rapid release of all living Israeli hostages, who are held under the most severe conditions in Gaza, and to bring all of the hostages who are not alive for burial in Israel,” Katz says.

“One thing is clear — the fighting will end in two clear achievements: the release of all of our hostages and the defeat of Hamas,” he adds.