Netanyahu sends warning to Hamas: Israel will not back down

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his government’s determination to secure the release of all remaining hostages held in Gaza, stating Thursday that "the fight is not over" for Israel, two years after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.

Speaking at an official memorial ceremony held at Mount Herzl cemetery, Netanyahu paid tribute to the victims and missing persons from the 2023 attack, declaring that Israel continues to stand "on the front line between barbarism and civilization."

"The fight is not yet over," the Prime Minister said. "But one thing is clear — anyone who raises a hand against us will pay a very heavy price."

The statement comes as only nine bodies of the 28 known hostages have been returned by Hamas since the beginning of the current ceasefire. The fate of the remaining captives remains unknown.

Netanyahu used the occasion to underscore the Israeli government’s commitment to retrieving every hostage, alive or deceased. He emphasized that this goal remains one of the top national priorities, despite ongoing diplomatic and military challenges.

"We are determined to bring them all home," he stated solemnly.

The speech marked the second anniversary of the surprise cross-border assault launched by Hamas, which claimed the lives of over 1,200 people and ignited one of the most intense conflicts between Israel and Gaza in recent history.

While the current ceasefire has led to a lull in active fighting, tensions remain high, with Israel insisting that the return of all hostages is a non-negotiable condition for any long-term resolution.