Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Thursday that defeating Hamas is more important than securing the release of the 59 hostages still held in Gaza.
His remarks come amid renewed Israeli threats of intensified military action. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir also warned on Thursday that the Israeli military is prepared to escalate its operations in Gaza if necessary. “The IDF is ready to deliver a decisive blow to Hamas and increase the intensity of the operation—if needed, we will do so soon,” Zamir said.
He added, “Despite significant achievements, we continue to face major challenges, chief among them the return of the hostages. At the same time, we bear the responsibility to defeat Hamas, return displaced citizens to their homes, and establish a stable and secure reality for future generations.”
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz echoed similar threats in recent days, stating that the longer Hamas holds the hostages, the more severe Israel’s military response will become.
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