Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday night hailed the imminent return of the last Israeli hostages from Gaza as both a “historic event” and the emotional climax of Israel’s two-year war with Hamas.
“Citizens of Israel, my brothers and sisters,” Netanyahu began. “This is an emotional evening, an evening of tears, an evening of joy. Because tomorrow, children will return to their border.”
The address came hours before Israel is set to receive the final 20 living hostages held by Hamas as part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal. Netanyahu, whose leadership throughout the conflict has been marked by deep political divisions, sought to recast the moment as one of national unity, renewal, and unfinished struggle.
“This is a historic event that blends sorrow over the release of murderers and joy over the return of hostages,” Netanyahu said, acknowledging the painful tradeoffs embedded in the agreement.
“This is a historic event that some did not believe would happen,” he added. “But our fighters believed. Many among the people believed. And I believed.”
Netanyahu — who has faced protests, political backlash, and scrutiny over his handling of the war — used the address to call for an end to internal division.
“I know there are many disagreements among us,” he said. “But on this day, and I hope also in the period ahead, we have every reason to put them aside. Because through joint efforts we achieved enormous victories. Victories that astonished the entire world.”
The prime minister credited Israel’s military and diplomatic campaigns for achieving what he described as an “astonishing victory” that reshaped the regional balance of power. “Everywhere we fought — we won,” he declared, before warning that “the campaign is not over.”
“Some of our enemies are trying to rebuild themselves to attack us again. And as we say — we’re on it,” he said.
Netanyahu’s most emotional moment came as he spoke of the families of the abducted, recalling his meetings with them throughout the war.
“My wife and I met many times with the families of the abductees,” he said. “We saw their pain, their yearning, their tears. These meetings were with me in every decision I made during the war. We embraced the families, and I promised them: I will not rest until I bring your loved ones back.”
He extended thanks to IDF soldiers and commanders, Israel’s security forces, bereaved families, and the wounded — calling them “heroes who carry their pain in body and soul.”
The prime minister said Monday — when Israel expects to see its final hostages freed — is a symbolic turning point for the nation.
“Tomorrow is the beginning of a new path,” Netanyahu said. “A path of building, a path of healing, and I hope — a path of uniting hearts.”
“Together we will continue to strengthen our country. Together we will continue to win, and b’ezrat hashem, together we will ensure the eternity of Israel.”
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One Response
Why do you spread Zionist propaganda abuse of our holy Tanach in their use of “ושבו בנים לגבולם” to refer to their conflict with the savages and the terrible taking of their hostages, when that phrase is totally unrelated to all of that?