Likud MKs welcome hostage release, say Israel still committed to destroying Hamas

Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

Hamas terrorists hand over hostages Emily Damari (in green sweater), Doron Steinbrecher and Romi Gonen, abducted during the October 7, 2023, massacre in southern Israel, to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as part of a ceasefire and a hostage-security prisoners deal, in Gaza City, January 19, 2025 (AFPTV / AFP)
Hamas terrorists hand over hostages Emily Damari (in green sweater), Doron Steinbrecher and Romi Gonen, abducted during the October 7, 2023, massacre in southern Israel, to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as part of a ceasefire and a hostage-security prisoners deal, in Gaza City, January 19, 2025 (AFPTV / AFP)

Welcoming the release of hostages Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher, leading Likud politicians insist that despite the ceasefire Israel will not give up on destroying Hamas.

“Romi, Doron and Emily have returned home. This is a moment of hope for an entire nation that now embraces them and their families in their hearts,” says Defense Minister Israel Katz, saluting members of the security establishment.

“The State of Israel will not rest or be quiet until every abducted man and woman returns home – the living to their families and those who are not for burial.”

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi states that “despite the unbearable images of the Nazis and terrorists, may their names be cursed, photographed in Gaza, today everyone is happy and excited to see our loved ones back home. We will continue to fight until we eliminate terrorism and bring everyone home soon, God willing.”

“We’ll be back soon,” he tweets in English and Arabic.

Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Yuli Edelstein states that “we will not give up on achieving the goals of the war and overthrowing the rule of the Hamas terrorist organization, so that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel.”

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