Netanyahu says returning Gaza captives will take 'a bit more time'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday insisted gains in the conflict against Iran would help with the country's war footing in Gaza and bringing the captives home but said "more time" was needed.

"We are getting closer, step by step, to our objectives: defeating Hamas and bringing our hostages home... I am convinced that the operation in Iran is helping us achieve our objective in Gaza," said Netanyahu.

"Our successes in Iran are contributing to the successes in Gaza, but it will still take a bit more time," added the Israeli premier, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Gaza.

They were constantly acting on several fronts, he added, "...but we are getting closer, step by step, to our objectives: defeat Hamas and bring back our hostages".

The Israeli military said Sunday that it had recovered the bodies of three captives in Gaza more than 20 months after they were abducted by Hamas on 7 October 2023, the start of the war.

Of the 251 captives seized during the assault, 49 are still held in the Palestinian territory, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israelis demonstrate regularly to pressure the government to do more to bring the captives home and Netanyahu has been criticised for what many say is a lack of progress.

Israel's relentless war on Gaza has killed close to 56,000 people since it started, with thousands more believed to be buried beneath the rubble.