Netanyahu hails return of bodies of 3 slain hostages, says efforts to free them all continue despite Iran war

Following the IDF’s announcement that it recovered the bodies of three slain hostages from the Gaza Strip in a joint operation with the Shin Bet overnight, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hails the mission and asserts that efforts to return the remaining hostages are ongoing alongside the conflict with Iran.

In a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier thanks the commanders and soldiers for the “successful operation,” which recovered the bodies of Ofra Keidar, Jonathan Samerano, and Staff Sgt. Shay Levinson, who were killed and abducted by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, massacre.

Netanyahu extends his “heartfelt condolences to the dear families [of the hostages] and shares in their profound sorrow.”

“The campaign to return the hostages is continuing without pause and is being carried out in parallel to the campaign against Iran. We will not rest until we bring all our hostages home — both the living and the fallen,” Netanyahu concludes.