Netanyahu says 'I hope there will be good news soon' on hostages being held by Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that “I hope there will be good news soon” when it comes to the possible release of hostages being held by Hamas. 

Netanyahu made the remark while visiting soldiers who recently returned from a deployment along the Israel-Lebanon border, where skirmishes with Hezbollah have been ongoing. 

“We are currently focusing on a very strong and very proactive defense in the north in order to achieve a crushing victory in the south,” he said. “The first goal -- elimination of Hamas. We will not stop until it is done.  

“Second goal, the return of the hostages -- we are making progress. I don't think it's worth saying too much, not even at this moment, but I hope there will be good news soon,” Netanyahu added. “A third goal is to ensure that what happened in Gaza does not happen again.” 

Netanyahu is expected to meet with top officials in an hour to discuss the possible release of hostages as reports are emerging that Israel and Hamas are close to reaching a deal today.