Report: PM tells families of hostages he won’t end war before Hamas defeated

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told families of hostages that Hamas, not Israel, would determine the order in which captives are released under any future deal — and acknowledged that Israel has yet to decide how it would prioritize among the remaining hostages, Channel 12 reports.

The network airs what it says is a transcript of Netanyahu’s conversation with the families during their meeting earlier today:

Netanyahu: We are not ready to end the war without eliminating Hamas.

Family member: So, how will we bring everyone back?

Netanyahu: There are ways…

Family member: And what about the new proposal?

Netanyahu: Basically, we are receiving the new proposal and [US Special Envoy Steve] Witkoff’s outline. I have a real discussion about your loved ones, which is relevant to you.

Family member: But how can you guarantee that it will really reach the second stage?

Netanyahu: Last time, we didn’t break the deal — Hamas did.

Family member: We’re certain it won’t happen [stage 2]… We’ll find ourselves in the same place we were before.

Family member: You’re influenced by far-right extremists.

Netanyahu: That’s not true.

Family member: Who sets the lists?

Netanyahu: It’s not us, it’s Hamas.

Family member: It is you (Israel).

Netanyahu: Hamas determines the order of the releases. (Channel 12 says this appears to be an acknowledgment that Israel is the one to determine who will be released, while Hamas will decide the sequencing.)

Family member: But we didn’t ask about the order. So, how will you determine which of the kidnapped people will be released?

Netanyahu: I don’t know yet, we haven’t discussed it.

Family member: Of the living [hostages], they are all defined as humanitarian cases; of the dead, it cannot be said who is more dead.

Netanyahu: We haven’t dealt with it yet.

Family member: We ask that you not use the number 20 hostages because there are 58.

Netanyahu: I will take note.