Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said on Friday that fighting in the Gaza Strip will continue if there is no deal on releasing the hostages kidnapped from Israel on October 7, 2023, DPA reports.
"I estimate that in the coming days we will know whether we can reach an agreement for the release of our hostages. If not, the combat will continue without rest," he said during a visit to troops in Gaza.
"The war continues, and we will adapt it to the changing reality according to our interests."
On Friday, the Palestinian Islamist Hamas released a new video showing one of the hostages. The man's sister appealed to the media not to publish the footage until the family gives its consent.
Seeing her brother's condition was like "a million blows to the heart," she was quoted as saying by the news portal ynet.
Israel accuses Hamas of engaging in psychological warfare by releasing hostage videos.
Israel responded with massive airstrikes and a ground offensive. According to the health authority controlled by Hamas, more than 60,000 people in Gaza have been killed since the war's start. Gaza is now facing the threat of famine, according to UN reports.
