Gaza occupation outweighs captive rescue: "Israeli" minister

Israeli Occupation Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar revealed in a recent interview with Kan, "Israel's" national broadcaster, that the newly approved phase of the military campaign in Gaza has a clear objective: “the complete occupation of the Strip.”

Zohar, a senior figure in the ruling Likud party, acknowledged the risks this escalation poses to the remaining captives held in Gaza. “Such a move endangers those who remain in captivity,” he admitted, “but there is no choice left.”

Read more: Netanyahu: Defeating Hamas is more important than returning captives

According to Zohar, the aggression was prolonged in part due to "Israel’s" efforts to retrieve as many captives as possible. He suggested that renewed military pressure could be the key to forcing Hamas to negotiate seriously.

“Hamas may soon realize that it has no choice but to return [the hostages] and exile itself from Gaza,” Zohar stated.