Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday visited his troops in northern Gaza — and took a “tour” of Hamas’ terror tunnels — for the first time since the war began.
Arriving on the third day of a temporary cease-fire in the Palestinian enclave, Netanyahu reaffirmed his nation’s commitment to freeing the hostages being held in Gaza while vowing to eradicate the terror group.
“We have three goals for this war: eliminating Hamas, returning all our hostages and ensuring that Gaza does not become a threat to the State of Israel again,” Netanyahu said, according to video released by his office. “We will continue until the end, until victory.
“Nothing will stop us, and we are convinced that we have the power, the strength, the will and the determination to achieve all the war’s goals, and we will,” he vowed.
Along with the speech to the IDF soldiers, the prime minister also visited one of the tunnels uncovered by the Israeli military that leads to Hamas’ 300-mile subterranean network.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu (center, in black shirt) visited his troops in northern Gaza for the first time since the war began. Israeli Prime Minister Office/AFP via Getty Images
Netanyahu also took a tour of a Hamas tunnel cleared by the IDF. Israeli Prime Minister Office/AFP via Getty ImagesNetanyahu had warned in years past that the tunnel system could be used to kidnap Israeli citizens, a scenario that came true during the Oct. 7 massacre that saw more than 1,200 people killed and nearly 240 taken hostage in Israel.
Although stating that the war would not end until Hamas was destroyed for its actions Oct. 7, Netanyahu was among the Israeli leaders who voted to enter a cease-fire agreement with the terrorist group in exchange for the freedom of dozens of hostages.
The cease-fire, which went into effect Thursday, is expected to last until Monday, with nearly 60 hostages released so far.
Netanyahu said his nation was committed to freeing the hostages taken by Hamas and destroying the terrorist group. AP
Margalit Mozes was among the first group of hostages freed Friday. APConfirming the release of 4-year-old American-Israeli Abigail Edan on Sunday — the first American freed since the start of the temporary truce — President Biden told reporters that his administration was working to extend the pause past the Monday deadline.
Speaking at the White House, Biden said he remains in talks with his Israeli counterpart to see the ceasefire extended so long as additional hostages are freed.
“For weeks I’ve been advocating the pause in the fighting for two purposes: to increase the assistance getting to the Gaza civilians who need help, and to facilitate the release of hostages,” Biden said.
“That’s our goal, to keep this pause going beyond tomorrow,” he added.
