The Prime Minister's Office stated that "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with the families of Ofra Kedar and Yonatan Samerano, hostages-casualties who were returned this week from the Gaza Strip in a special operation by the Shin Bet and IDF." The office's statement noted that "the special operation for their return was authorized by the Prime Minister while leading the historic campaign to remove the existential threat from Iran. During the conversation, Netanyahu expressed his condolences to the families in his name, his wife's name and on behalf of all Israeli citizens. He made it clear that the campaign to return our hostages continues relentlessly and through all means."