Netanyahu planning meeting this week with freed female hostages

19 August 2024, 9:33 pm

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Chairs representing hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, are displayed beneath the Hebrew word, "now!" ahead of a weekly protest by families of the hostages and their supporters to demand their release, in Tel Aviv, August 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet this week with former female hostages who have returned from captivity in Gaza, his office says.

His office does not give a date for the meeting, and says that “meetings with additional families are being planned.”

Thirteen female hostages, including a number of IDF soldiers, are believed to still be held captive in Gaza, including three who have been confirmed dead by Israel. During a November truce, 105 women and children hostages were released as part of the deal.

Netanyahu’s office says that all of the premier’s meetings with freed hostages and hostages’ family members are important “in order to listen, update them and inform them regarding the efforts to return their loved ones.”