As Passover begins this week, Hamas continues to hold 133 Israeli hostages and has rebuffed repeated deals to free them. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted the season’s poignant timing in a warning to the Gaza terror group. “Unfortunately, until now, all proposals for releasing the hostages have been rejected outright by Hamas… it is hardening its heart and refusing to let our people go,” said Netanyahu, echoing the famous demand from Exodus.
“Therefore, we will strike it with additional painful blows—and this will happen soon.”
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, launched after the October 7 terror massacre in which Hamas murdered 1,200 Israelis, has largely paused with the main remaining Hamas stronghold in Gaza’s south. Israel has faced diplomatic pressure from the United States not to expand the war to that region, which includes the city of Rafah, due to the civilians there. Israel, meanwhile, has a plan to evacuate the civilians.
Israel has repeatedly insisted it intends to proceed with an operation in the region of Rafah, although the timing of that attack has been unclear. On Sunday, Netanyahu was vague on Israel’s next move and did not reference Rafah by name. Nonetheless, Netanyahu made it clear the current situation will not continue.
“In the coming days, we will increase the military and diplomatic pressure on Hamas because this is the only way to free our hostages and achieve our victory,” said Netanyahu, whose Hebrew comments were published and translated by Israel.
The Israeli leader’s stern words come after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant led a briefing last Monday discussing “the IDF’s planned activities in Rafah,” according to a press release from his office. This included “an emphasis on the evacuation of civilians and the expansion of activities related to the delivery of food and medical equipment to Gaza.”
On Sunday, the IDF official page on X (formerly Twitter) posted that IDF Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Herzi Halevi “held a situation assessment and approval of plans for the continuation of the war,” according to a translation of the post from Hebrew by Google. The post did not provide further details on the war plans, but the IDF Commander of the Southern Command, Col. Yaron Finkelman, was specifically named as being present.
Israel certainly isn’t lacking in motivation to continue the fight with Hamas.
“Our hostages being held by Hamas are before our eyes. Their suffering and the suffering of their families rends our heart and only strengthens our resolve to bring them back. We are not relenting, not even for a moment, from our sacred mission to return them home,” said Netanyahu.
Using traditional language from the Jewish liturgy for Passover Seder service, Netanyahu’s comments on Sunday emphasized the menace facing the Jewish State—and the hope for victory.
“Why is this night different, citizens of Israel? On this night, 133 of our dear brothers and sisters are not around the Seder table, and they are still held hostage by Hamas in hellish conditions… And why is this night not different? That in every generation they rise up to destroy us, and the Holy One, blessed be He, saves us from them,” said Netanyahu.
“This time as well, we will overcome those who seek our lives—thanks to the faith of our people, the daring of our fighters and the unity among us.”
(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, April 21, 2024)