Israel-Hamas war: Netanyahu says military pressure 'will lead to the release' of all hostages

Lighting flares fired by Israeli forces illuminate the sky as Israeli attacks continue in at the Nuseirat refugee camp in Deir al-Balah, Gaza on December 12, 2023. (Photo by Ali Jadallah/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a Saturday press conference that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) must continue their offensive in Gaza in order to free the remaining Gaza hostages.

At a press briefing with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister Benny Gantz, Netanyahu credited the recent release of 110 hostage to the Israeli military's prowess.

“Without the military pressure, we would not have been able to produce the [former] agreement which resulted in the release of 110 captives,” Netanyahu said, according to the Jerusalem Post. “Only the continuation of the military pressure will lead to the release of all our captives."

“The instructions I give to the negotiating team are based on this military pressure and without it we have nothing,” the Israeli prime minister added.