&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Netanyahu says 'victory' over Iran created 'opportunities,' for hostage rescue; families insist 'release, not rescue'")
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday (Jun 29) said that the recent 12-day conflict with Iran had paved the way for new "opportunities"—chief among them, the potential return of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. "Many opportunities have opened up now following this victory," Netanyahu said during an address to security service officials, adding, “first of all, to rescue the hostages”. Netanyahu's statement, as per reports, has given rise to speculation that progress could be achieved in bringing about an end to the Gaza conflict and securing the hostages' release.
What did Netanyahu say about hostages?
On his Sunday visit to the security facility of Israel's Shin Bet Intelligence service, the Israeli PM said, "I want to inform you that as you probably know, many opportunities have opened up now following this victory, many opportunities."
"First of all, to rescue the hostages. Of course, we will also have to solve the Gaza issue, to defeat Hamas, but I estimate that we will achieve both tasks," he added, as per a statement issued by his office. However, he insisted that "the Gaza issue" and the defeat of Hamas are also to be achieved. "Of course, we will also have to solve the Gaza issue, to defeat Hamas, but I estimate that we will achieve both goals".
Shifting priorities?
Netanyahu's remarks appear to signal a shift in priorities, coming after nearly two years of public pressure from families of hostages captured during the Hamas-led October 7 attack. Welcoming the Israeli PM's statement, 'The Hostages and Missing Families Forum', the main group representing hostage families, said it was "a very important statement". Lauding "the fact that after 20 months, the return of the hostages has finally been designated as the top priority by the prime minister", the group said, "This is a very important statement that must translate into a single comprehensive deal to bring back all 50 hostages and end the fighting in Gaza."
Trending Stories
)
Who is Jin Ze? Chinese TV and short-drama actor passes away at 33, agency confirms
)
Delhi hotel owner helped Bangladeshi nationals get fake Indian documents, was arrested and booked last year
)
1,000-year-old Viking tradition sees over 700 whales and dolphins massacred
)
World Environment Day: AI could chug water enough to sustain all 8.1 billion people on Earth for over a year, UN report warns
)
Trump's immigration curbs on 39 countries struck down: Is it good news for Indians? WION Decodes
)
Old praise, new problems: Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das's 9-year-old tweet faces scrutiny
)
Annamalai's new political movement records 10 lakh registrations within 10 hours
)
Question on 'dissent' sparks tense moment at CJI Surya Kant's London lecture; video goes viral - What exactly happened
)
Who Is Kevin Kunta? Meet Ram Charan’s bodyguard, MMA fighter, who reportedly charges Rs 2–3 lakh per day
)
Iran says it fired missiles and drones at US warships in Gulf of Oman, claims USS Tripoli retreated
)
Bondi Beach attack hero Ahmed al Ahmed charged in Australia: Here's why
)
Indian man sends explicit text to 14-year-old in UK, gets caught while trying to meet her: VIDEO
)
‘Don’t come to Delhi airport’: CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke’s message before arriving in India
)
'They still have capacity': Trump makes BIG claim on Iran's missile arsenal as talks hit impasse, insists he's 'moving very fast'
)
'Future doesn't look bright': Indian GenZ was busy debating Cockroach Janta Party, AI quietly took their jobs in last 1 month
)
'Iranian attack a dangerous escalation', Kuwait warns after Tehran again fires missiles
)
'The ball is in Trump's court': Iran says negotiations hit impasse over $24 billion in frozen assets
)
Queen Elizabeth's grandson Peter Phillips marries Harriet Sperling; King Charles, William and Kate attend
)
A miracle in the Caribbean: How a country of just 156,000 people qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
From Phil Foden to Joao Pedro, 5 star footballers missing FIFA World Cup 2026
)
Pune IT sector under scrutiny: 5th firm shuts in 8 months, 5,000 lose jobs
)
US-Iran War: Iran Demands Unfreezing of Assets As Prize for Ending Deadlock
)
NASA satellite spots strongest sign of Super El Nino, confirming all predictions - What to expect?
)
Australia's 'Dragon Girl' with a tattoo on her eyeball, is now getting a 'coin slot' inserted in her ear
)
Indians on H-1B visas exit Texas and its housing boom is dying. Other states could see similar decline
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Dhruv Rathee’s scriptwriter, journalist, IIT alumnus: Who are the 3 spokespersons announced by CJP?
)
Iran targets US military bases with missile and drones as Kuwait, Bahrain intercepts attack: What's happening
)
'Are you from India?': Trump's dig at Indian journalist triggers racism debate - VIDEO
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Do dark-coloured cars burn more fuel for AC in summer?
)
Norway Chess 2026: R Praggnanandhaa scripts history, becomes first Indian champion in tournament history
According to Israeli authorities, 49 hostages remain in Gaza, with 27 believed to be dead. Hamas is also reportedly holding the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in 2014.
But while Netanyahu spoke of "rescue", the families of hostages insisted on the hostages' "release, not rescue".
"The only way to free them all is through a comprehensive deal and an end to the fighting, without rescue operations that endanger both the hostages and (Israeli) soldiers."
