Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said at a joint press conference with Zambian Foreign Minister Mulumbo Haimbe that "Israel is serious in its desire to achieve a hostage deal." According to him, "recently there has been some progress." Saar also added: "In light of past experience, I don't want to exaggerate it at this stage. But we are interested in reaching an agreement, which will include a ceasefire. We are committed to bringing all our hostages home, the living and the dead."

