Netanyahu Describes the Release of Three Hostage Women as a 'Very Encouraging Day'

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, called the release of three Israeli women hostages from Hamas captivity a 'very encouraging day' for the country. In a conversation with the Israeli government representative for the return of hostages, Netanyahu stated that 'Romi Gonen', 'Emily Damari', and 'Doron Stein Bercher' are the first hostages we are bringing home in this round. Netanyahu addressed these three Israeli women hostages, saying, 'The entire nation of Israel embraces you, welcome home.' The Israeli Prime Minister referred to the difficult conditions these hostages faced and their ultimate release from darkness to light, stating that these three women have indeed moved from 'slavery' to freedom. Netanyahu added that the freedom of these hostages was achieved thanks to the sacrifice and bravery of the Israeli armed forces, and this is a 'great' and 'emotional' moment for all Israelis. Joe Biden, the President of the United States, on Sunday, January 30, coinciding with the start of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, mentioned the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, stating that the path for the Iranian regime to Hezbollah in Lebanon has been destroyed, and now the Islamic Republic is in its 'weakest position in decades.' He confirmed the release of the three women hostages, adding that in the next seven days, four more women hostages will be released, and thereafter, three hostages will be freed each week. According to Biden, on the sixteenth day of the agreement's implementation, negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire will begin, during which discussions will be held regarding the release of Israeli soldiers and ending the war without Hamas remaining in power. The U.S. President added that hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian aid are currently delivering supplies to civilians in Gaza. Just hours before Biden's speech, Mike Waltz, Donald Trump's pick for U.S. National Security Advisor, stated in an interview with CBS News that if Hamas violates the current agreement with Israel, the United States will support Israel 'in doing what it needs to do.' Waltz emphasized, 'Hamas will never rule Gaza. This is completely unacceptable.' Meanwhile, in Israel, senior officials stated that the war will continue until all kidnapped hostages are freed. Israel Katz, the Israeli Defense Minister, during a visit to a military base near Gaza, which is set to be the initial examination site for the released hostages on Sunday, said, 'We will not stop the war until all [hostages] return home.' Katz stated that the purpose of his visit was to ensure the army's readiness to protect Israeli citizens 'even during the ceasefire.' The Defense Minister promised that army soldiers would remain in the buffer zone along the border with Gaza and would 'respond with force to any violation [of the ceasefire] and threat.' In this context, Gideon Sa'ar, the Israeli Foreign Minister, stated that Hamas's continued control of Gaza poses a threat to Israel's security and is a 'nightmare for the Palestinians themselves.' Sa'ar, during a press conference with foreign media in Jerusalem, added, 'If Hamas remains in power, the regional instability created by this group may continue.' He echoed Netanyahu's sentiments, stating that the current ceasefire is 'temporary,' and negotiations for a 'permanent ceasefire' will begin on the sixteenth day of the current agreement. Gideon Sa'ar expressed hope for a permanent ceasefire, noting that achieving such a goal requires the overthrow of Hamas and the return of all hostages; otherwise, the war against Hamas will resume. Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister also emphasized on Saturday, January 29, the country's determination to destroy Hamas's military and governmental capabilities, ensure permanent security from Gaza, and return all hostages. Netanyahu, in a message to Israeli citizens, emphasized three fundamental principles of the agreement, including maintaining the ability to return to war, increasing the number of living hostages in the early stages of release, and ensuring Israel's complete control over the Philadelphi route and security buffer zones in Gaza, stating, 'We will not allow weapons to be smuggled into Gaza, and hostages to be transferred out of this area.' He described the October 7 Hamas attack as 'the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust,' stating, 'In this war, we have shown our enemies and the world that when the nation of Israel is united, no force can defeat it. This strong spirit of our nation is what leads us to success.' The Israeli Prime Minister also expressed sympathy for the grieving families and victims of the war, referring to the military successes of the country, stating, 'We have eliminated Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, as well as Hassan Nasrallah and Hezbollah leaders, and we have severely weakened the military capabilities of Syria, the Houthis in Yemen, and the Iran axis.' Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed gratitude for the cooperation between the Biden administration and the Trump administration in achieving this agreement, stating, 'Both Presidents have fully supported Israel's right to return to war if negotiations fail.' The battle between the Israeli army and the Palestinian group Hamas, supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran, began after this group's terrorist attack on October 7 (15 Mehr) 2023 against Israel, during which more than 1,200 people, primarily civilians, were killed, and over 250 others, including women, children, and the elderly, were taken hostage.