Netanyahu says Israel must increase “military pressure” on Hamas

– In the coming days, we will increase the military and political pressure on Hamas because it is the only way we can free our hostages, said the Israeli Prime Minister in a video statement on Sunday. The statement comes during Pesach, also called the Jewish Passover.

Despite strong international pressure, Netanyahu has maintained that Israel will carry out a ground invasion of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip, where a large proportion of the population in the Palestinian area has sought refuge.

So far, however, this has not happened. Israel nevertheless carries out constant attacks once morest the area.

14 children, a pregnant woman and three other adults were killed in Israeli attacks on the town of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip on the night of Sunday, according to information from local hospitals.

The Israeli army (IDF) claims that some of the hostages abducted from southern Israel last October are being held captive in Rafah.

Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the IDF, said Sunday in a televised statement that “the chief of staff has approved the next steps in the war.” He did not say anything regarding what this meant.

– On Pesach, the hostages were held captive for 200 days. We will fight to get you home to us, said Hagari.