Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday evening delivered an emotional national address ahead of Monday’s scheduled release of hostages held by Hamas, calling it “an evening of tears, an evening of joy.”
“Tomorrow, children will return to their own land,” Netanyahu said. “This is a historic event that blends sorrow over the release of murderers and joy over the return of hostages.”
The prime minister said the achievement reflected the steadfast belief of Israel’s soldiers and citizens. “Some did not believe this day would come. But our fighters believed. Many among the people believed. And I believed,” he declared.
Netanyahu urged national unity at what he described as a moment of both triumph and challenge. “I know there are many disagreements among us. But on this day, and I hope also in the period ahead, we have every reason to put them aside,” he said.
“Everywhere we fought—we won.”
He cautioned, however, that the campaign was not yet over. “There are still very great security challenges ahead of us,” Netanyahu said, warning that Israel’s enemies “are trying to rebuild themselves to attack us again.” Yet, he added, “We’re on it.”
The prime minister also said Israel’s recent victories have opened “great opportunities that we have never known before,” expressing confidence that through unity, the nation would meet future challenges and “realize these opportunities.”
Netanyahu spoke of the many meetings he and his wife, Sara, held with the families of the abducted. “We saw their pain, their yearning, their tears,” he said. “I promised them—I will not rest until I bring your loved ones back.”
Concluding his remarks, Netanyahu thanked IDF soldiers, bereaved families, and the citizens of Israel, calling tomorrow “the beginning of a new path. A path of building, a path of healing, and I hope—a path of uniting hearts.”
