Photo Credit: Israel Ministry of Defense
Defense Minister Israel Katz at the initial reception site to where hostages will be brought before transfer to the hospital. Jan. 19, 2025

Defense Minister Israel Katz affirmed Sunday that the war with Hamas will not end until every hostage held captive is returned to Israel.

Katz made the pledge during a visit to the reception point for the hostages returning to Israel, ahead of the return of Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbracher, together with the head of the IDF’s Special Operations Command, Major General Dado Bar Khalifa.

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The defense minister met with the teams working to accompany the freed captives during the complex moments of their return to Israel, thanked them for their work, and emphasized the State of Israel’s commitment to continue acting with determination until all the hostages are returned.

“Thanks to the bravery of IDF soldiers, today we will see the return of the hostages,” Katz said. “We will not stop the war until everyone returns home.

“I came to make sure that the IDF is prepared to protect the communities and soldiers against any attack… even during the ceasefire,” the minister added.

Katz pledged that the IDF will remain deployed in the buffer zone along the Gaza border, and “will respond strongly to any violation and threat.”


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Hana Levi Julian is a Middle East news analyst with a degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Southern Connecticut State University. A past columnist with The Jewish Press and senior editor at Arutz 7, Ms. Julian has written for Babble.com, Chabad.org and other media outlets, in addition to her years working in broadcast journalism.