Further hostage deals will not halt the war, the prime minister’s office said, ahead of a promised escalation of military action.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on May 13 that there was “no way” Israel would halt its war in the Gaza Strip, even if a deal is reached to release more hostages.
In a statement released by the prime minister’s office, Netanyahu said Israeli forces were about to step up the assault and would enter Gaza, “with great strength to complete the mission. … It means destroying Hamas.”
Netanyahu said any cease-fire deal with Hamas would only be temporary.
“We can make a cease-fire for a certain period of time, but we’re going to the end,” he said.
Netanyahu said that if Hamas released more hostages, “we’ll take them, and then we’ll go in.”
But there will be no way we will stop the war,” he said.
Netanyahu’s comments came a few hours before Israeli air strikes began in northern Gaza.
The Indonesian Hospital in Jabaliya, northern Gaza—which was built by the government of Indonesia in 2016—said 48 people were killed, including 22 children, overnight.
On May 12, Hamas freed the last living U.S. hostage—Israeli American Edan Alexander—after almost 585 days in captivity in Gaza.
Alexander, who had been serving in the Israeli military, was released before U.S. President Donald Trump left for a visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Israel is not on his itinerary.
Trump wrote on Truth Social on May 11: “I am happy to announce that Edan Alexander, an American citizen who has been held hostage since October 2023, is coming home to his family. I am grateful to all those involved in making this monumental news happen.
“This was a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators—Qatar and Egypt—to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones.
“Hopefully, this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict. I look very much forward to that day of celebration!”
Israel says Hamas is still holding 58 hostages, although only 23 of them are believed to be alive.
Alexander’s parents urged Netanyahu to listen to what they called “the vast majority of the Israeli public” and prioritize the release of the remaining hostages.
They thanked Trump and his envoys for “their tireless efforts on Edan’s behalf.”
