Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized that the war is not over despite the agreement on hostages with Hamas.
"The war continues. We will continue this fight until all our objectives are met, including the return of our captives and the elimination of Hamas and ensuring that one day after Hamas, Gaza is not under the control of any party that engages in terrorism," he was quoted as saying. Netanyahu said. “We will provide the safety and security of our citizens both in the North and the South. We are winning and we will continue the fight until complete victory", the Israeli Prime Minister said further.
He insisted that Israeli soldiers would be safe during the four-day ceasefire agreed to in the deal. During a conference, Netanyahu began by saying that since the start of the war he has not stopped thinking about the hostages and their families - and says they will all come home.
The four-day ceasefire agreement was reached using massive military pressure on Hamas and diplomatic efforts by the Israeli government, he added. "The agreement will include the Red Cross visiting the hostages and bringing medicine to them." Netanyahu says that during the ceasefire, the IDF will prepare for the continuation of the war. "The war continues", the prime minister said twice. "We are winning and we will continue to fight until we achieve absolute victory."