Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz is currently consulting with senior defense officials to evaluate the situation regarding the hostages held by Hamas, according to his office.
Earlier today, the Shin Bet announced that its director, Ronen Bar, convened a joint session with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Mossad Director David Barnea, and Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, who is overseeing the IDF’s efforts related to the hostages.
In a brief statement, the Shin Bet noted that the meeting was centered on “advancing the efforts to return the hostages.”
Channel 12 reported that Katz received a particularly somber briefing from these security leaders regarding the dire condition of the hostages, who have been in captivity for more than 400 days.
Following this session, the officials were scheduled to brief Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to the Channel 12 report, Alon, Bar, and Barnea were expected to inform Netanyahu that even with the elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the group continues to demand an end to the war and a full IDF withdrawal as conditions for releasing the hostages — leaving no alternative paths for their recovery.
{Matzav.com Israel}