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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday reiterated that the Israeli military would enter Gaza “with full force” in the coming days, even as diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire continue and following the release of a US-Israeli hostage.

“In the very coming days, we are going in with full force to complete the operation,” Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office. “Completing the operation means defeating Hamas. It means destroying Hamas.” According to news agency AFP, he added, “There will be no situation where we stop the war. A temporary ceasefire might happen, but we are going all the way.”

His remarks came a day after the return of 21-year-old soldier Edan Alexander, who had been held captive by Hamas since the October 7, 2023 assault that triggered the war. Netanyahu attributed the soldier’s release to “our military pressure and the political pressure exerted by (US) President (Donald) Trump.”

'Illusion Of Military Pressure': Hamas Rejects Netanyahu's Remarks On Hostage Release

However, Hamas rejected this assertion. In a statement cited by AFP, the Palestinian militant group said, “The return of Edan Alexander is the result of serious communications with the US administration and the efforts of mediators, not a consequence of Israeli aggression or the illusion of military pressure.”

Israel resumed major operations across Gaza on March 18, amid an impasse over how to move forward with the ceasefire initially proposed on January 19. Earlier this month, the Israeli government approved plans to expand the offensive, with officials reportedly considering a long-term presence in the enclave. Israeli authorities say the renewed bombardments are aimed at securing the release of the remaining hostages.

Hostage Release After Hamas Negotiations With US

Alexander, reportedly the last living US citizen in captivity in Gaza, was released just a day after Hamas disclosed that it was engaged in direct negotiations with Washington over a possible ceasefire. Netanyahu has since confirmed that he would be sending a negotiating team to Qatar to discuss the release of the other hostages.

On Tuesday, Netanyahu spoke with Alexander and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff via phone. “The entire nation of Israel is overjoyed,” the Israeli leader said during the call, according to video footage released by his office, as per AFP. “We are grateful for American support and deeply appreciate the (Israeli) soldiers who are prepared to act by any means necessary if the remaining hostages are not released,” he added.

In response to Netanyahu’s question about his wellbeing, Alexander said: “It’s crazy, unbelievable. I’m okay. Weak, but slowly I’ll get back to how I was before. It’s just a matter of time.”

According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Witkoff and US hostage envoy Adam Boehler also met with hostages’ relatives in Tel Aviv. Witkoff reportedly said, “They will accept nothing less than the return of everyone, as this is the (US) President’s mission.”

‘We Need Countries Willing To Take Gazans In’: Netanyahu Says Israel Working On Trump’s Plan

Meanwhile, Netanyahu revealed that Israel was working to identify countries willing to accept Palestinians from Gaza, reviving a controversial proposal initially floated by Trump. “We’ve set up an administration that will allow them (Gaza residents) to leave but… we need countries willing to take them in. That’s what we’re working on right now,” Netanyahu said. He added that he estimated “over 50 percent will leave” if given the option.

According to an AFP tally based on official figures, the October 7 Hamas attack killed 1,218 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in the abduction of 251 individuals. Of those, 57 remain in Gaza, including 34 whom the Israeli army has declared dead.

The Israeli offensive launched in response has resulted in the deaths of at least 52,908 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, whose figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.