Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to "fight until victory" in Gaza, indicating that military bombardment will not cease nor will there be a withdrawal from the anticipated ground invasion of the territory after Hamas released two American hostages. In a statement issued late Friday night, Netanyahu said, "Two of our captives are home. We will not abandon our efforts to return all captives and missing persons, and at the same time, we will continue to fight until victory."
Hamas released American Yehudit and her daughter Natalie, who were kidnapped during the group's attack on southern Israel on October 7. A photo obtained by Reuters after their release shows the mother and daughter surrounded by three Israeli soldiers, each holding one of the hands of Gal Hirsch, the Israeli coordinator for prisoners and missing persons.
Hamas's military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, spokesperson Abu Obeida stated in a message, "In response to Qatari efforts, we released the two American hostages (a mother and her daughter) for humanitarian reasons, to show the American people and the world that the claims of President Joe Biden and his fascist administration are baseless and false."
Israel is mobilizing tanks and troops near the Gaza Strip in preparation for a potential ground invasion. Its bombardment of Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 4,137 Palestinians, including hundreds of children, and has displaced more than one million people, according to Palestinian officials.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant told a Knesset committee that Israel's achievement of its objectives "will not be quick or easy." He added: "We will topple the Hamas organization. We will destroy its military and governmental infrastructure. It will not be an easy phase. It will come with a price." He noted, "The next phase will be longer but aims to achieve an entirely different security situation that will not pose any threat to Israel from Gaza." He added, "It’s not a day, or a week, and unfortunately, not even a month."
