Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out a ceasefire in Gaza yesterday by declaring “this is a time for war” and hailing the rescue of a hostage as evidence that Israel’s military offensive could free captives while delivering crushing blows to Hamas.
The Israeli prime minister congratulated the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and the security agency Shin Bet for freeing Ori Megidish , an army private, but Israeli joy was tempered by a Hamas video of three other captives .
Megidish was freed on Sunday night, three weeks after she had been abducted with more than 220 other hostages, amid Israel’s intensifying ground operation in Gaza .
After a medical check declared her healthy she was reunited with family, giving Israelis a rare image of joy.
Netanyahu told a news conference the army’s advance through Gaza opened opportunities to free hostages . “This creates pressure,” he said. “We’re committed to getting all the hostages back home. We think that this method stands a chance.”
Appeals for a ceasefire were a call for Israel to surrender to terrorism and barbarism, he said. "That will not happen. The Bible says that there is a time for peace and a time for war. This is a time for war."
He called Hamas militants "monsters" and said Israel would continue to pursue them.
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