Israeli Prime Minister unexpectedly declares priority on hostage rescue, reveals new 'opportunity' after war with Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on June 29 that the 12-day confrontation with Iran has created many opportunities for Israel, and the top priority among them is the rescue of hostages taken by Palestinian gunmen in Gaza during the October 7, 2023 attack.
The statement, along with a decision by the Jerusalem District Court to postpone a hearing in his long-running corruption case, has fueled speculation about whether progress could be made in ending the conflict in Gaza and securing the release of hostages.
On June 29, the court accepted Netanyahu’s request to postpone the trial, citing confidential security and diplomatic issues. Notably, a day earlier, US President Donald Trump also commented that the trial could hinder the Israeli leader’s ability to negotiate.
Earlier, on June 28, Israeli Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir also commented that the confrontation with Iran that ended on June 24 could help advance Israel's goals in the fight against Hamas, an Iran-backed force in the Gaza Strip.
Israel's Kan public radio said the country's security cabinet met on the evening of June 29 and will meet again on June 30. Israeli media also reported that Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a confidant of Netanyahu, is expected to be at the White House on June 30 for talks on Iran and Gaza.
During a visit to a security facility of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency on June 29, Mr. Netanyahu said: "I want to inform you that, as you may know, many opportunities have opened up after this victory, many opportunities."
"First of all, it is the opportunity to rescue the hostages. Of course, we will also have to solve the Gaza problem, defeat Hamas, but I estimate that we will achieve both of these tasks," according to a statement issued by his office.
The Headquarters Forum of Families of Hostage and Missing Persons, which represents the families of the 50 remaining hostages in Gaza, said this was the first time Netanyahu had made the rescue of the hostages a priority.
"The families of the hostages welcome the fact that after 20 months, the return of the hostages has finally been identified as a top priority by the Prime Minister," the forum said in a statement. Of the remaining 50 hostages, only about 20 are believed to be alive.
“This is a very important statement that needs to be translated into a single comprehensive agreement to return all 50 hostages and end the fighting in Gaza.”
It is unclear whether Mr Trump’s comments will influence the court’s decision. However, Mr Trump also suggested that the trial could hamper Mr Netanyahu’s ability to negotiate with Hamas and Iran to end the war in Gaza.
Despite the diplomatic signals, the situation on the ground remains tense. On June 29, the Israeli army ordered Palestinians to evacuate areas in northern Gaza ahead of more intense fighting with Hamas.
A Hamas official told Reuters the group had informed mediators it was ready to resume ceasefire talks, but remained firm on its core demands: any deal must end the war and ensure a complete Israeli withdrawal from the coastal strip.
For its part, Israel has said that the war can only end if Hamas is disarmed and eliminated. Hamas refuses to lay down its weapons.
According to Israeli figures, the Hamas offensive on October 7, 2023, left 1,200 people dead and 251 hostages taken. The subsequent Israeli military offensive, according to Gaza's health authorities, killed more than 56,000 Palestinians, displaced nearly all of the 2.3 million people and plunged the region into a deep humanitarian crisis.
