Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the military to increase pressure on "Hamas" after the Palestinian armed group rejected an Israeli offer for a new temporary ceasefire, Reuters reported.
In a televised address, Netanyahu noted that while the war comes at a high price, Israel has no choice but to continue fighting for its very existence, until victory. Egyptian mediators are working to restore a truce that Israel abandoned last month.
"Hamas", whose militants carried out the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war, has said it will only release the remaining hostages if a deal is reached to end the war.
Fifty-nine hostages are still being held in Gaza. Less than half are believed to be still alive.
Israel imposed a full blockade on Gaza in March and resumed its attack on March 18 after talks failed to extend the truce. Israel has seized parts of Gaza and ordered hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate.