In Jerusalem, PM Netanyahu told US Senator Joni Ernst that Israel’s dual mission—rescuing hostages and crushing Hamas—remains the government’s unwavering priority.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Monday with US Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) at his office in Jerusalem, underscoring Israel’s resolve in its ongoing war against Hamas.
During the meeting, Netanyahu stressed that the Israeli cabinet’s decision was “unequivocal”:
“Israel will act with determination and strength to return all of our hostages and to defeat Hamas. These missions are not separate—they are intertwined.”
The Prime Minister reaffirmed to Senator Ernst that Israel views the safe return of its citizens and the dismantling of Hamas’s terror infrastructure as inseparable goals, both critical for Israel’s security and future stability.
The meeting comes as pressure intensifies on Israel’s leadership to strike a deal for hostage releases while continuing the military campaign in Gaza. Netanyahu’s remarks signal that his government sees the two efforts as part of the same struggle, rather than competing objectives.
Senator Ernst, a senior Republican lawmaker and longtime supporter of Israel, reiterated US solidarity with Israel’s security needs and the families of those still held hostage in Gaza.
