IDF Spokesman R-Adm. Daniel Hagari said on Wednesday that "We have a duty to do everything to return the hostages, the elderly, the women, and of course our children to their homes.
"This is a complex process that will take time and continue in several stages. Our guiding principle was and remains to update the families of the hostages first, and then update the public. The coming days will include moments of pain, and moments of joy, and may include attempts at psychological terror."