From the Liveblog of
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Likud MKs welcome hostage release, say Israel still committed to destroying Hamas
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. 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"
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.
راح نرجعلكم عن قريب – We’ll be back soon pic.twitter.com/Q1NyNRMLMM
— ????????שלמה קרעי – Shlomo Karhi (@shlomo_karhi) January 19, 2025
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.”
The Times of Israel Community.