Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promises to increase “military pressure” on Hamas

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Jerusalem:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel will increase “military pressure” on the Palestinian group Hamas in an effort to secure the release of hostages in Gaza.

“In the coming days we will increase military and political pressure on Hamas because this is the only way to free our hostages,” Netanyahu said in a video statement on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover, threatening “additional and to cause painful crimes.” pass” without specifying.

Despite international outrage, Netanyahu has repeatedly said the army will launch a ground attack on Rafah, a city in southern Gaza that has so far been spared from an Israeli invasion where more than 1.5 million Palestinians have taken refuge.

The military has said some of the hostages kidnapped from southern Israel during the October 7 Hamas attack that sparked the war were being held in Rafah.

Military spokesman Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement later on Sunday that “the chief of staff has approved the next steps for the war,” without giving details.

“On Passover, the hostages will be held captive for 200 days… We will fight until you come home to us.”

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