Netanyahu says Israel committed to wartime objectives as fighting resumes

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that Hamas did not agree to release further hostages, infringing on terms of a truce, and that Israel remained committed to achieving its objectives as fighting resumed.

Hamas did not release all women hostages as agreed and also launched rockets at Israel, Netanyahu’s office said.

“With the resumption of fighting we emphasise: The Israeli government is committed to achieving the goals of the war – to free our hostages, to eliminate Hamas, and to ensure that Gaza will never pose a threat to the residents of Israel,” it said.