(VOVWORLD) - The Israeli military expects to return to fighting in Gaza in 10 days if no agreement is reached with Hamas, Israeli officials said on Monday.
 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on February 16, 2025 (Photo: AFP) |
If Hamas does not release its hostages soon, Israel will return to fighting, Defense Minister Israel Katz said at an event marking the death 33 years ago of former Prime Minister Menachem Begin. Hamas will face the Israeli Defense Force until Hamas is totally defeated, Katz said, adding that Israel will not allow Hamas to rule in Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened Hamas with unimaginable consequences if Hamas does not release the remaining hostages. Hamas is believed to still have 59 captives – 24 alive and 35 dead.
On Monday Israeli forces struck a military site in Qardaha, northwest Syria, where arms belonging to the previous Syrian government were stored, the IDF said in a post on its Telegram channel.