Israeli Defense Minister: The Return of Hostages is the Most Important Goal of the War

Israel Katz, the Israeli Defense Minister, declared the return of hostages held by Hamas as the "most important goal of the war." On Sunday, November 18, during a meeting with officials from the Israeli army's command staff, Katz emphasized that since his appointment as Defense Minister, the "returning of hostages to their homes has been the most valuable goal" and that there has never been and will never be "any political consideration" regarding it. Following the dismissal of Yoav Gallant from the Defense Ministry, Israel Katz was appointed to this position on November 7. According to the 'Times of Israel,' Katz described his meetings with the families of the hostages and those involved in the mission to return them as a factor that has "intensified his motivation" to achieve this goal. The Israeli Defense Minister promised to work "by any means possible" alongside the country's defense establishment to bring the hostages home. Senior Israeli officials have repeatedly listed the return of hostages as one of the objectives of the war against Hamas. General Herzi Halevi, Chief of Staff of the Israeli army, recently announced that the army is prepared to pay any price for the return of the hostages and reported on the continuation of efforts to retrieve them. During the terrorist attack on October 7 last year by Hamas against Israel, over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed, and more than 250 others, including women, children, and the elderly, were taken hostage. In response to this attack, Israel launched an offensive against Gaza aimed at destroying Hamas and retrieving the kidnapped hostages. While about 100 hostages were exchanged for Palestinian prisoners during a temporary ceasefire late last fall, approximately 100 remain in Hamas captivity, and reports indicate that some of them have been killed. Hamas is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Israel, Canada, Japan, and several other countries. The Biden administration claims it still hopes to achieve a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Islamic countries: Ending the occupation of Palestinian territories is essential for Middle East peace. The Chief of Staff of the Israeli army: We are moving tirelessly in the war against Hamas. Qatar says it will halt mediation regarding the Gaza war until conditions are met.