Netanyahu says IDF will keep troops on captured ground in Gaza until Hamas defeated, hostages freed

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says in a video posted on X that IDF troops will remain stationed on territory captured during the recently approved intensified Gaza operation until the war aims are achieved.

“Last night we sat late into the night in the cabinet and decided on an intensified operation in Gaza,” says the premier.

“This was the recommendation of the chief of staff — to move, as he put it, toward the defeat of Hamas. He believes this will also help us rescue the hostages along the way. I agree with him. We are not letting up on this effort, and we will not give up on a single one. That is what we are doing.”

מעדכן אתכם גם היום בלי הפילטרים של התקשורת >>

תרשמו לי את השאלות שלכם למטה. pic.twitter.com/b1c0XZFSI8

— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) May 5, 2025

“We won’t talk about the details because we’ve already spoken in detail about both of these matters: what we’re doing for the hostages, and what we’re doing for the defeat [of Hamas],” Netanyahu continues.

“One thing will be clear — we’re not going in and out [of Gaza] just to call up reserves so they’ll come and seize territory, we withdraw from territory, and carry out raids on what remains… That’s not the intention. What’s our intention? The opposite,” he says.