Israeli PM Netanyahu visits Gaza, tells troops 'nothing will stop us’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his first visit to Gaza since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, declared on Sunday that Israel will continue until it wins.

In footage shared online by his office, Netanyahu asserted, “We continue until the end — until victory.”

This marked his first trip to the region since the conflict began on October 7. He emphasised Israel’s unwavering determination, stating, “Nothing will stop us, and we are convinced that we have the power, the strength, the will and the determination to achieve all the war’s goals, and we will.”

Meanwhile, the Israeli army reported on Sunday that 13 released hostages had returned to Israeli territory, with an additional four en route to Egypt, reported AFP.

The army specified that twelve hostages were headed to a military base near the southern city of Beersheba, accompanied by Israeli special forces, while one had been directly flown to the hospital. Sorocca hospital in Beersheba confirmed receiving an 84-year-old female hostage who was undergoing tests after being flown in by helicopter.

Four more hostages were in transit to the Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.

The hostages released on Sunday included 13 Israeli women and children, one man with Russian-Israeli citizenship, and three Thai nationals, as indicated by statements from the respective governments involved.

The released Israelis comprised nine children and four women, including a four-year-old girl named Abigail, whose case had been highlighted by US President Joe Biden.

With inputs from agencies