Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted at a return to fighting in Gaza and stressed the IDF could use "forceful" measures to ensure Israel completes its "war goals".
Netanyahu, who vowed to crush Hamas after the terror group's horrific October 7 attack, addressed Israelis for the first time since a ceasefire agreement was brokered on Thursday.
The Israeli Prime Minister stressed that Israel retains the right to resume its war in Gaza should the second stage of ceasefire negotiations prove pointless.
He said: "If we must return to fighting we will do that in new, forceful ways.
Netanyahu hints at return to conflict after 'temporary ceasefire' as Israel 'retains' right to resume Gaza fighting
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"President Trump and President Biden have given full backing to Israel's right to return to combat if Israel concludes that negotiations on Phase B are futile."
After labelling this week's deal a "temporary ceasefire", Netanyahu added that Israel will not rest until "all of its war goals are completed", including the return of the remaining 33 hostages.
Confirming Israel retains the right to resume fighting in Gaza, Netanyahu said: "The first principle is maintaining the ability to resume fighting in case it's necessary.
"Hamas has demanded that we will promise from the outset that we will put an end to the war as a condition for the release of the hostages.
"There were other things that they tried to dictate but I adamantly rejected these and my position was accepted.
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An Israeli soldier operates amid conflict between Israel and Hamas in GazaREUTERS"We retain our right to resume the war, if necessary, with the backing of the US and all senior officials of the US administration have testified that it is Hamas that provided obstacles to negotiations, it was Hamas that created these obstacles, not Israel."
Despite the deal suggesting otherwise, Netanyahu is also planning to bolster IDF troops along the so-called Philadelphi Route.
He also championed IDF efforts to "change the face of the Middle East", highlighting how Israeli troops inflicted defeats on "enemies" across the region, including Iran and Hezbollah.
Netanyahu's announcement comes just minutes after the Israeli Prime Minister's Office released a statement highlighting his concern about Hamas failing to list the first set of hostages to be freed from Hamas.
Under the agreement, which would see fighting end at 6.30am local time (4.30am GMT), Hamas is obliged to provide the names of the remaining hostages at least 24 hours ahead of their release
Benjamin NetanyahuGettyA total of 33 hostages are expected to be released over the next six weeks, with Israel also releasing hundreds of imprisoned Palestinians.
Hamas was expected to name the first set of hostages at 4pm local time (2pm GMT).
In his statement, Netanyahu said: "We will not move forward with the outline until we receive a list of the hostages to be freed, as agreed."
He added: “Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement. The sole responsibility lies with Hamas.”
IDF soldiers who were captured will likely be released in the second phase of negotiations.
Hamas is expected to request a lasting ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from the Strip.
