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Despite failures, Israeli military chief claims only military pressure can release captives

Sunday, 14 January 2024 7:43 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 14 January 2024 8:29 AM ]

Israel’s military chief Herzi Halevi speaks during his transition ceremony with the prime minister and the outgoing chief, on January 16, 2023. (Photo via Reuters)

Israel’s military chief has claimed that “increased military pressure” is the only option that can secure the return of the remaining captives being held by Hamas in Gaza.

In a televised statement on Saturday ahead of the 100th day of the war in Gaza, Herzi Halevi warned against any pause or reduction in the intensity of the Israeli onslaught in the besieged territory.

“We must continue to operate in enemy territory, not allow extortion attempts for a ceasefire that seemingly will not bring about real results,” Halevi said.

“We must continue applying pressure and that is exactly what we are doing.”

Halevi said that Israeli forces are using “all means” to bring the captives home.

The remarks come amid fierce criticisms leveled against Benjamin Netanyahu-led war cabinet over its failure to release the captives.

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On October 7, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas launched a cross-border, surprise operation, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Strom, against the Israeli regime in response to decades of illegal occupation and violence against Palestinians.

During the operation which took place just outside the Strip about 1,200 Israelis were killed and some 240 taken captive.

On November 24, Israel and Hamas agreed on a short truce which also included an exchange of some of the captives taken during the October 7 operation for Palestinian prisoners, illegally abducted and kept in Israeli jails.

Israel says that about 132 captives remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 25 believed to have been killed.

Hamas has said times and again that there will be no new prisoner swap with Israel until the unrelenting aggression against the besieged territory stops.

Per data by the Palestinian Health Ministry, nearly 23,700 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in what is perceived as the bloodiest and most destructive episode of war in the history of Israel’s decades-long occupation of the territories.

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