Israel – Times of Israel, May 27, 2025
Netanyahu claims he wasn’t speaking literally when saying he hoped to make an announcement on the captives ‘today or tomorrow,’ sparking flood of inquiries from desperate families.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu infuriated hostage families on Monday after declaring that he hoped to make an announcement regarding the hostages “today or tomorrow,” only to later assert he was not speaking literally.
“I really hope we can announce something regarding the hostages, if not today, then tomorrow,” Netanyahu said at the tail end of a video statement. He has been issuing near-daily videos in recent weeks updating the public on his efforts as premier while tearing into various accusations against him, particularly those criticizing his handling of the war.
The remarks prompted a flood of anxious inquiries from hostage families surprised to hear that a breakthrough in the long-stalled negotiations with Hamas was on the horizon.
Recognizing that his comment had quickly made waves, the Prime Minister’s Office sent a statement to reporters in the name of a “senior official” that attempted to walk back Netanyahu’s remark.
The “official” claimed the prime minister’s comments should not be seen as a signal of an impending deal.
“The prime minister meant that we will not give up on freeing our hostages, and if we don’t achieve that, hopefully in the coming days, we will achieve it later on,” the statement said, adding that, as of now, “Hamas continues to cling to its refusal.”
