Netanyahu thanks Trump for helping bring about Saturday's hostage release

Tel Aviv [Israel], February 16 (ANI/TPS): Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement saying he, "greatly appreciates the leadership of President Trump and the ongoing coordination with the United States," as far as the role they played in the latest release of Israeli hostages from Gaza.

Netanyahu's office said that the combination of the reinforcement of the IDF forces around the Gaza Strip and the "aggressive stance of President Trump" led to the release of three Israeli hostages today - despite Hamas's refusal to release them earlier.

Netanyahu also "appreciates the president's full support for Israel's decisions regarding the Gaza Strip going forward."

The last comment was a reference to a statement President Trump's released earlier on Saturday in which he said Israel must now decide hos to respond after Hamas failed to release all of the remaining hostages today as demanded.

Trump said the US will support whatever decision Israel makes.

The prime minister will convene the political-security cabinet as soon as possible to decide on Israel's next steps. (ANI/TPS)

(The story has come from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by the Tribune Staff.)