Hamas said it wouldn’t budge on its demands for a ceasefire, including a full withdrawal from Gaza.
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said on Wednesday that a hostage release deal with Hamas will only come as a result of military pressure.
Addressing IDF commanders in the former Hamas stronghold of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, Halevi said, “We are pressing to deepen the achievement” of the military operation in Gaza City’s Shifa hospital, “and we are pressing to try to initiate movement in the negotiations, to bring about an agreement for the release of the hostages.”
This, he continued, was “a top priority, very important.”
The hostages’ release will only be attained “through stronger pressure,” he said, adding, “and we will press harder, as much as necessary.”
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