President Isaac Herzog on Friday welcomed the release of 13 hostages who were held in Gaza, in the first phase of the deal which was agreed upon this week.
“On behalf of the entire nation, I thank everyone who is engaged in the holy work of bringing our sons and daughters home. It is important to remember that the job is not done until all the hostages return to Israel,” he said.
“I want to strengthen the people involved in the negotiations, all of the security forces, the forces who are fighting in the field, the Israeli intelligence community, the psychological teams, the social workers, the medical, rescue and rehabilitation forces and the families of the hostages, along with the relevant international factors,” added Herzog.
“I embrace and strengthen those returning home as well as the families of all the hostages, and I pray for the quick and safe return of our daughters and sons who are still in the hands of the enemy. Our hearts are with them every minute of the day,” concluded the President.
(Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)