Netanyahu maintains that the release of hostages will not derail Israel’s broader objectives. He explained that the conflict unfolds in stages and that any rescue operations will be conducted progressively, while the overarching aim remains the destruction of Hamas’s militant infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.
The prime minister said the war will proceed through defined phases, and the effort to free captives will be carried out step by step. He stressed that Israel will not pause its military campaign until it achieves what he described as a decisive victory, emphasizing continued action alongside all security forces once the hostage deal enters its next phase.
Netanyahu also noted that the agreement requires formal approval from the Israeli government and that, in the initial stage, some hostages would be prioritized for release. He indicated that any captives who are not freed during the first wave would be evaluated in subsequent rounds, with Red Cross personnel accompanying such assessments during the ongoing exchange process.