Breaking News Update #1: Leave no man behind.
He’s home. But many remain in captivity.
Today is an emotional day.
As I write this (January 19th at 09:25 Israel time), Hamas has still failed to provide list of the female hostages that were to be released today. And so we continue to operate within the Gaza Strip as part of our ongoing mission.
But a glimmer of good news was released this morning.
As a soldier, a sacred truth we hold is that we leave no man or woman behind.
Today we released that in covert operation conducted by the Israeli Security Agency and the IDF, we recovered the body of Staff Sergeant Oron Shaul. Shaul fell in battle on July 20, 2014 during Operation Protective Edge in Gaza. He has been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza for almost 11 years since and our efforts to being him home have not stopped since.
And now, he’s back.
Today, representatives from the IDF and ISA updated Oron’s family. Our hearts are with them at this difficult moment.
The IDF will continue to do everything we can to bring home every single hostage held by Hamas - both those alive and those no longer alive. And when they return, we will be here, ready to receive them.
While we wait eagerly for the other hostages’ return, for now, in accordance with political directives, will not take place until until Hamas fulfills its commitments.
The IDF is continuing to operate in the Gaza Strip, including with aerial attacks against terrorist targets.
Our hearts are with all of Israel today, and every day. Am Israel chai.
America stands proudly with the peace-seeking Israelis. I am so happy that some of the hostages will return, but I am also not unaware of the violations of the ceasefire that Hamas has already engaged in.