Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday night that Israel was not giving up “on a single one” of its war aims.
While leaving Israel Defense Forces headquarters in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu said that he had spoken earlier in the day with U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff regarding the release of the remaining 58 hostages in Gaza, and would discuss the matter with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee later that night.
“We’re making all efforts, including today, to bring about the release of all our hostages and to achieve our war aims. We’re not giving up on a single one,” Netanyahu said in a video post on X, contradicting claims of critics, such as the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
On Tuesday, the mother of Edan Alexander, 21, the IDF soldier released by Hamas on Monday, pointedly omitted the prime minister from the list of those she thanked for her son’s freedom.
However, Witkoff relayed to the family that Netanyahu’s efforts were critical to her son’s release.
“I took two hours to speak to Witkoff in Doha because I requested to send the delegation [there] in order to try and advance the release of our hostages. So they’re at the top of my mind,” Netanyahu said in the video post.
Of the 58 hostages still in Hamas’s hands, 23 are still believed to be alive.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu held a series of extended meetings with Witkoff and members of the negotiating team regarding the ongoing efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
The discussions coincided with Trump’s arrival in Qatar, which has served as a key mediator in the talks, alongside Egypt and the United States.
Trump’s envoys, Witkoff and Adam Boehler, met on Tuesday in Tel Aviv with the families of hostages and emphasized their commitment to securing the return of all captives—both living and deceased.
Negotiations in Doha are being conducted indirectly, with intermediaries relaying proposals between Hamas and Israeli representatives. Despite months of stalled efforts, U.S. officials believe renewed momentum may be possible following recent developments on the ground and increased international pressure.