Netanyahu addresses the nation, says ‘we are intensifying the pressure on Hamas on an hourly basis’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking from the military headquarters in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening, addressed the nation of Israel to provide an update on the war efforts and confirm his commitment to bring back home the more than 240 hostages being held captive in Gaza.

“In the south, the war in the Gaza Strip is proceeding with a fervor that Hamas has never known,” Netanyahu told the Israeli public. Netanyahu said Israel is intensifying its pressure on Hamas. 

“Gaza City is surrounded. We are operating in it. We are intensifying the pressure on Hamas on an hourly basis, every day.” 

“We have eliminated thousands of terrorists above ground – and below ground,” Netanyahu stated. “Among them, we have eliminated arch-murderers who planned and perpetrated the terrible massacre on that black Shabbat one month ago.” 

Netanyahu said the IDF’s response to the Hamas invasion and attacks on Oct. 7 has surprised Hamas terror organization. He noted that the IDF had targeted and destroyed many Hamas targets, including headquarters, tunnels and operational bases.

“Hamas is discovering that we can go to places they did not think we could.” 

Netanyahu also shared that he is “in continuous contact with U.S. President Joe Biden” and appreciates U.S. support. 

U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday he had asked Netanyahu for a humanitarian ceasefire. 

Netanyahu expressed his willingness to consider “tactical pauses” of “an hour here, an hour there,” in an interview with ABC News on Monday, but affirmed his opposition to a full ceasefire. 

“There will be no ceasefire without the return of our hostages,” Netanyahu stated in his address. 

The premier said he spoke with the head of the Red Cross organization about the hostages kidnapped by Hamas into Gaza on Oct. 7.

“I have spoken with the president of the Red Cross.,” Netanyahu said. “I demanded from her that the Red Cross act toward the immediate release of our hostages, as required by international law. I also demanded that the Red Cross carry out its obligation and immediately visit all of the hostages in order to verify their health and well-being.” 

Netanyahu said he spoke with all the foreign ambassadors in Israel, reminding them that “abduction is a war crime.” 

The prime minister reiterated that the Israel's current ground invasion in Gaza is intentional, in order to put pressure on Hamas to release the captives. He said Israel is using all means at its disposal to bring the hostages home to their families.

Netanyahu said Hamas would be destroyed and would no longer be able to threaten Israel. 

“We will eliminate Hamas's military and governing capabilities. Gaza will no longer constitute a threat to Israel,” he said.