Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “committed” to negotiating the return of the Israelis held by the Hamas terrorist group in Gaza.
An official says that Netanyahu raises the issue at “every diplomatic meeting,” including one with US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi in New York last month.
“Netanyahu is engaged in this issue and is committed to the return of soldiers and civilians held in Gaza,” the official says according to a statement put out by the Prime Minister’s Office.
He adds that the prime minister is looking to appoint a negotiator to oversee efforts to retrieve of the remains of the Israelis.
Earlier today, the parents of IDF Staff Sergeant Oron Shaul, who was killed in Gaza in 2014 and whose remains are believed to be held by Hamas, demanded that Netanyahu appoint a negotiator to replace Lior Lotan, who has resigned in August.
The Shaul family said they would take the matter to the High Court of Justice if the position is not filled in the coming days.
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From the Liveblog of
Sunday, October 8, 2017
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