In a laconic, cryptic statement Friday just before sundown, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the premier “will deliver a special statement when Shabbat ends [Saturday evening] on a diplomatic matter.”
Hebrew media reported that the statement was expected to be recorded, without an opportunity for media questions.
Potential “diplomatic matters” on the table include ongoing hostage-truce negotiations with the Hamas terror group and talks between the US and Iran on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, but it was not clear what the prime minister intended to talk about.
There was no indication that Netanyahu will announce a breakthrough in talks for a hostage deal, however, with no progress reported in recent days.
The Prime Minister’s Office statement sparked anxiety among hostage families, who condemned the vague announcement seemingly designed to keep the country in suspense.
“Such a statement right before the holiday throws us into a whirlwind of emotions and indescribable suffering,” wrote Viki Cohen, the mother of hostage Nimrod Cohen, on social media.
She said the single statement she hopes to hear from the premier is that he is stopping the war and bringing back all hostages.
“Any other statement will break my heart,” she said. “I ask that you consider during the holiday what we are going through as we anxiously await your announcement.”
Herut Nimrodi, the mother of hostage Tamir Nimrodi, told Channel 12 on Friday: “They don’t notify us personally, we find out through the media like everyone else, and are in a big emotional whirlwind.”
Netanyahu’s statement is expected to take place around the same time that the families of hostages and their supporters will resume their weekly rallies in Tel Aviv and elsewhere around the country, after a pause last week due to the weeklong Passover holiday, which ends in Israel on Saturday night.
On Friday, a Passover event was held at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where a major rally is planned for the following hight. The Hostage Families Forum said the demonstration would include as speakers freed captive Omer Shem Tov; ex-hostage Ilana Gritzewsky, whose partner Matan Zangauker remains in Hamas captivity; Anat Angrest, mother of hostage Matan Angrest; Ayelet Samerano, mother of slain hostage Jonathan Samerano, whose remains are still held in Gaza; Idit Ohel, mother of captive Alon Ohel; and Liron Oberlander, a cousin of hostage Rom Braslavski.
Israel believes that 59 hostages are still being held by terror groups in Gaza, at least 35 of whom have been confirmed dead by the IDF. The group includes 58 hostages kidnapped on October 7, 2023, and the body of Israeli soldier Lt. Hadar Goldin, who was killed in 2014.
Since the start of the war, 139 hostages have been freed by Hamas and the bodies of eight slain hostages returned in two deals in late 2023 and early 2025. Eight hostages have been rescued by troops alive, and the bodies of 41 captives have been recovered from Gaza by the Israeli military.