Gofrixty [4 August 2025] – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed his country’s forces used only the “power of face and determination” to restore their hostages home. He addressed the press in Jerusalem after IDF troops freed a number of hostages that Hamas had been holding during Israel’s recent operations in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu said ‘military pressure works’ Israel Defense Forces “broke Hamas,” priming the terrorist group to capitulate under assault on key targets and ground escalation near hostage compounds, he claimed. The Prime Minister praised Israeli soldiers for their courage in battle and tactical execution of combined arms forces. “They acted with precision. They brought our people back,” he said.
Israeli officials said the military used drones to map out a compound and followed al-Sinwar for weeks before determining where troops were being held. With the information that hostages were inside, ground troops could move with only slightly delayed speed. Soldiers broke into buildings, eliminated threats and got hostages out in minutes, officials said. From there, military helicopters would fly him to safety.
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The Prime Minister would not say how many hostages had been freed but did confirm that “a number of families are no longer living in fear”. He also cautioned Hamas and the other groups in Gaza that Israel will keep up against it until all prisoners return home and terrorism organization breaks down.
The families of the remaining prisoners, meanwhile, organized a protest outside the Israeli parliament. They demanded faster government action. While some hailed the recent rescue as a welcome development, others slammed the negotiations to reach it and the civilian death toll in Gaza that has so far claimed hundreds of lives.
Netanyahu defended the military strategy. “We chose strength and strength brings numbers,” he added. And we will not stop until every Israeli is back in the homeland.
Others, including international organizations, renewed calls to stop the fire and return to indirect talks between Israel and Hamas. But Netanyahu said the negotiations “alone will not bring our people home.”
As the campaign becomes increasingly violent, Israel has pursued a tactic of more and harsh military pressure — both as an effort to take hostages in the aftermath of warfare, which has elicited support but also criticism.
