A diplomatic source said the bond formed between PM Naftali Bennett and Egyptian President Abdel Fatah a-Sisi is very important to Israeli-Egyptian relations.
"We will meet soon and next year we will celebrate you at home with everyone," said Avera Mengistu's mother on his birthday.
The defense minister reiterated the importance of the prisoners' return, saying that Israel will not hesitate to use military force.
At issue are the bodies of Lt. Hadar Goldin and St.-Sgt. Oron Shaul, presumed to have been killed during the 2014 Gaza war, and the fate of two Israeli citizens, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed.
Israel should make clear to Hamas, their Qatari patrons, and the international community that Jerusalem is only going to allow money to flow into Gaza if the captives are returned.
The Hamas leader said that "in the coming days we will be witnessing a dialogue in Cairo with the aim of reaching agreements on the issues at hand."
Protestor demands include Hamas disarmament, breaking hopes to destroy Israel, and returning the missing bodies held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Gantz said that the return of Avera Mengistu and the bodies of Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul would be carried out in the future after not including them in the ceasefire conditions.
A victory needs a symbol. There is one attainable profound symbol that will assure this time that Israel’s victory and Hamas’s crushing defeat is unmistakable.
"We don't intend to repair and return the power lines to Gaza...until Hadar Goldin, Oron Shaul and Avera Mengistu are returned to Israel."
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