Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized on Thursday that defeating Israel's enemies takes precedence over securing the release of hostages in Gaza.
While acknowledging the importance of freeing the 59 remaining hostages, Netanyahu declared Israel's fight against its enemies as the "supreme objective" of the war.
"We have many objectives, many goals in this war. We want to bring back all of our hostages," Netanyahu stated. "That is a very important goal. In war, there is a supreme objective. And that supreme objective is victory over our enemies. And that is what we will achieve."
Netanyahu's remarks, made on Israel's Independence Day, marked the first time he explicitly described returning the hostages as a secondary goal. This stance contrasted with his previous emphasis on defeating Hamas and securing hostage release as primary goals in the conflict.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum criticized Netanyahu's comments, stating, "The return of the hostages is not 'less' important - it is the supreme goal that should guide the government of Israel." The families expressed concern over the prioritization shift.
Despite public opinion favoring a hostage release deal, Netanyahu's stance aligns him with far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who recently echoed similar sentiments.
Members of Netanyahu's coalition have urged continued military action, warning of escalation if no ceasefire agreement is reached. Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with defense officials to discuss expanding the conflict.
Israel's strategy of bombardment and blockade aims to pressure Hamas for concessions in ceasefire talks, with the goal of eliminating the group's influence in Gaza.
Recent controversy surrounding Netanyahu includes his wife Sara's claim that fewer than 24 hostages remain alive in Gaza, sparking demands for transparency from families. Israeli officials express concerns over some hostages' fate, indicating a potential shift in the situation.
Military reservists have also voiced opposition to the conflict, criticizing its alignment with political agendas rather than national security interests.