Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met today (Monday), as he does every week, with families of hostages held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Gallant spoke with the families of the kidnapped soldiers, and emphasized to them his commitment to the return of the hostages and also detailed the efforts that have been made and are being made to bring about their return.
Minister Gallant answered the families' questions regarding the planned operational activity in Rafah, and emphasized that the State of Israel continues all the time and in many ways to return the hostages.
Gallant said that "the actions to return your loved ones continue all the time, even now. We are committed to achieving the goals of the war, but the refusal of Hamas of any plan that would allow the return of the hostages forces us to start the operation in Rafah."
"In every decision we make - operational or political, the mission of returning the hostages is paramount. Even after the start of the operation in Rafah, all efforts to bring home the hostages will continue," he added.