Netanyahu Declares ‘Absolute Victory’ Nears as All Hostages Returned From Gaza

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday hailed the return of the final hostage from Gaza as a historic achievement, declaring that the first pillar of “absolute victory” had been fulfilled and vowing to press ahead with disarming Hamas and demilitarizing the territory.

In a press conference alongside Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch, the coordinator for hostages and missing persons, Netanyahu announced the completion of the mission to bring back all hostages taken during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack. The remains of National Counter-Terrorism Unit policeman Ran Gvili — described by Netanyahu as the “first to charge” and the “last to return” — were recovered from northern Gaza and repatriated the previous day, marking the end of the hostage crisis after more than two years.

“Yesterday, we fully completed the sacred mission of returning all of our hostages,” Netanyahu said. “There are no more hostages in Gaza.”

Gvili, a 24-year-old elite Yamam commando at the time of his death, was killed fighting Hamas militants on Oct. 7 and his body abducted to Gaza. Netanyahu praised Gvili’s heroism, noting he killed 14 terrorists despite a shoulder wound and continued fighting until overwhelmed. “Many generations will draw inspiration from Ran Gvili, a hero of Israel,” he said.

Netanyahu recounted resisting intense pressure early in the war — including from senior security officials who warned that no hostages might return and urged halting operations in Gaza — insisting that a combination of military force and diplomatic efforts would succeed. He described emotional meetings with hostage families, where he repeatedly promised and swore to bring their loved ones home.

“Thanks to the wise decisions we made, thanks to our heroic soldiers and commanders… thanks to the sacrifice of the fallen… we did it,” he said.

Netanyahu thanked Hirsch for his work amid criticism, government colleagues including former Minister Ron Dermer, the IDF, Israel Security Agency, Israel Police, U.S. President Donald Trump and his team, and Israeli citizens for their steadfast support.

With the hostage return complete, Netanyahu shifted focus to the remaining goals: dismantling Hamas’s arsenal and fully demilitarizing Gaza of weapons and tunnels. He reiterated an agreement with Trump that it would happen “the easy way or the hard way.”

He rejected proposals for Gaza reconstruction before demilitarization, deployment of Turkish or Qatari forces, or establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza. “Israel will maintain security control over the entire area, from the Jordan to the sea, and that is also true regarding the Gaza Strip,” he said, noting his long-standing opposition to a Palestinian state.

Netanyahu also addressed broader regional threats, warning that Israel had severely weakened Iran and its proxies but would respond forcefully to any Iranian attack. He referenced his participation in an international conference on combating antisemitism, contrasting historical Jewish vulnerability in exile with Israel’s current strength and ability to defend itself.

“Today we are prominent but today we are also strong, and we will continue to win,” he said.

Hirsch was commended by Netanyahu for efforts beyond Gaza, including aiding Israelis in Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and recently Venezuela.

The return of Gvili’s remains, following a large-scale IDF operation in a northern Gaza cemetery, paves the way for the next phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire plan. Netanyahu framed the achievements as part of the “War of Redemption,” crediting collective resolve for striking major blows against enemies while ensuring Israel’s long-term security.