Families say Netanyahu reassured them he is working to free hostages held by Hamas

After meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this evening for the first time, family members of those believed to be held hostage in Gaza say they were reassured by the premier that he is working to free their loved ones.

In a statement following the meeting at an IDF Home Front Command base in Ramle, the forum of families says that “Netanyahu told the families that one of the goals of the war is the return of the captive and missing.”

On Saturday, National Security Council chief Tzachi Hanegbi said “Israel will not hold negotiations with an enemy that we have vowed to wipe from the face of the earth.”

In response, the families forum issued a statement slamming the government for “effectively saying that it is abandoning its citizens who have been kidnapped.”

Following the meeting today, the families say that they accept a “clarification” from Netanyahu that Hanegbi’s statement did not represent his opinion on the matter.

The families say they demanded all avenues be explored, including through contact with Hamas, leaders of Arab countries and other figures “in order to lead to their immediate release.”