The goal of the intensified military operation in Gaza announced by Israel on Sunday is twofold: defeating Hamas and releasing the hostages, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“These two goals are intertwined, and we will achieve them,” the premier said on Sunday in a video posted on X.

Netanyahu further stated that the Israel Defense Forces was “pounding” Yemen’s Houthi rebels with “great force,” noting that the campaign against the Houthi threat is “not over.”