The families of Israeli hostages held captive by Hamas met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to discuss the ongoing negotiations for their release. The Prime Minister has been in talks with Hamas for months in an effort to secure the release of the three Israeli prisoners of war.
The meeting between the families and the Prime Minister marks the first time the government of Israel has come face to face with the families since their sons were taken captive by the terrorist faction in 2014. The captives are believed to have been held in the Gaza Strip for five years and the meeting with Netanyahu was an attempt to determine the status of talks for their release.
In addition to Netanyahu, the meeting was attended by the families’ lawyer as well as members of the Prime Minister’s security cabinet and foreign ministry staff. The families shared a tearful reunion with the Prime Minister and expressed their hope that the talks will soon lead to the release of the hostages.
Prime Minister Netanyahu praised the families for their resilience and courage throughout this difficult time and reiterated his commitment to doing everything in his power to ensure the release of their loved ones. “Our hearts go out to you,” he said. “No parent should have to experience the anguish of not knowing the fate of their child.”
The ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas to secure the release of the hostages are considered to be delicate and complex. Hamas has long demanded an exchange of prisoners in exchange for the Israeli citizens they are holding. Prime Minister Netanyahu has so far refused to negotiate directly with Hamas but has made it clear that he is doing everything in his power to bring the Israeli citizens home.
Israel remains hopeful that the families’ meeting with the Prime Minister will help move the process forward and lead to the successful release of the captives.