In a televised statement Saturday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu struck a victorious tone, saying Israel is “on the verge of a very great achievement” and that he hopes “in the coming days” he can announce “the return of all our hostages, both living and dead, in one fell swoop, while the IDF remains deep in the Gaza Strip.”
Netanyahu said, “In the first phase, Hamas will release all of our hostages, and IDF forces will redeploy in such a way that the IDF will continue to hold all of the territories it controls deep inside the Strip.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint press conference with President Donald Trump (not pictured) in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, September 29, 2025.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Netanyahu says “our intention and that of our American friends is to conclude these negotiations in a few days,” and that “very soon” there would be the liberation of all our hostages without a full withdrawal from the Strip.”
-ABC News’ Jordana Miller
