Israel says 'ultimate goal' after Lebanon truce is Gaza hostages release

Israel's "ultimate goal" is to bring home hostages held by Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, Defense Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday after the start of a ceasefire in Lebanon.

"We intend to make every effort to create the conditions for a new hostage exchange and bring everyone home –- this is the most important moral goal we face now, this is the ultimate goal," Katz said.