Benjamin Netanyahu:  "Our hearts overflow with emotion as 6 hostages return home"

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a written statement Saturday evening following an emotional day that saw the return of six Israeli hostages and the confirmation that Shiri Bibas and her two young sons had been murdered in Hamas captivity.

"Together with my wife Sara and all citizens of Israel, I welcome Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, Tal Shoham, Avera Mengistu, and Hisham al-Sayed back home," Netanyahu wrote. "Our hearts overflow with emotion as we embrace their families. Their return brings joy and relief to their loved ones and to all of Israel."

The statement then turned somber, addressing the Bibas family tragedy: "Following our uncompromising demand for Shiri's immediate return, we have finally brought her home for burial in Israel. The nation's heart is shattered by the kidnapping and brutal murder of Shiri and her children, Ariel and Kfir. We share the Bibas family's profound grief and embrace them in their sorrow."

"We will neither forget nor forgive," Netanyahu continued. "We honor with both pain and pride our fallen and wounded heroes, whose sacrifice has enabled sons and daughters to return home."

The prime minister concluded with an update on the hostage situation: "To date, we have secured the return of 192 hostages - 147 alive and 45 deceased. Hamas still holds 63 captives. The Israeli government remains unwavering in its commitment to bring all our hostages home - the living to their families' embrace, and the deceased for proper burial in their homeland."