Herzl and Zehava Shaul have no definitive proof that their son died after he was captured by Hamas on July 20, 2014 in Gaza City. (Ben Sales)

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel is doing everything it can to bring the bodies of two soldiers killed in Gaza home to their parents, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

The families of soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin both released statements on Saturday night slamming a reported reconciliation deal with Turkey, saying that the return of their sons’ remains should be part of the deal.

“There is a lot of misinformation and disinformation regarding the possible agreement that is being formulated with Turkey and therefore I would like to make it clear: We are continuing our constant efforts, both open and in secret to bring back to Israel Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, may their memories be blessed, and also the two Israelis being held in Gaza. We are in continuous contact with the families and we will neither rest nor be silent until we bring the boys back home,” Netanyahu said Sunday morning at the weekly Cabinet meeting, echoing a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office the previous night.

The rapprochement deal is expected to be finalized with Turkey on Sunday by negotiators in Rome, and to be brought to a meeting of the Security Cabinet on Wednesday to be approved.

The Shaul family said it would erect a protest tent outside of the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem in opposition to the deal.

In addition to the two bodies, Hamas in Gaza is said to hold Ethiopian-Israeli Avraham Mengistu, 29, who was depressed and mentally ill when he crossed the border in 2014, and a Bedouin citizen of Israel who is also said to be mentally ill. Hamas issued a statement in April claiming to hold both men as well as the remains of Shaul and Goldin.

Ties between Israel and Turkey broke down in 2010 after Israeli commandoes boarded and killed nine Turkish citizens in clashes on the Mavi Marmara, a boat attempting to break Israel’s Gaza blockade.

The agreement reportedly calls for Israel to create a $20 million humanitarian fund as compensation to the families. Netanyahu previously apologized for the deaths, another Turkish condition for the resumption of diplomatic ties.  Turkey reportedly also has withdrawn its demand that Israel halt its blockade on Gaza, but under the agreement Israel will allow Turkey to establish building projects in Gaza with the building materials entering Gaza through Israel.

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