The IDF is applying military pressure on Hamas to secure more favorable terms for a hostage deal, Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said in comments published Friday afternoon.
Having conducted a situation assessment in Khan Younis Thursday night, Halevi met with commanders involved in an operation to rescue the bodies of hostages in the southern Gaza Strip city.
"We were near those bodies before and couldn't reach out. Now we did. We aim to bring hostages back alive, which requires pressure: killing Hamas commanders, killing Hamas operatives and a hostage release agreement. We are pushing to achieve this under the best conditions. It's a top priority," he told the troops.
(Yoav Zitun)