Netanyahu: We will strike Hamas hard - and soon

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu issued a video statement to the public the day before Passover (Sunday) addressing the suffering of the hostages and the danger of Hamas.

In his statement, Netanyahu noted that "Unfortunately, until now, all proposals for releasing the hostages have been rejected outright by Hamas...Instead of withdrawing from its extreme positions, Hamas is counting on a rift among us. It draws encouragement from the pressure being directed at the Government of Israel. As a result of this, it has only hardened its conditions for the release of our hostages. It is hardening its heart and refusing to let our people go."

The Prime Minister said that Israel would therefore be dealing Hamas painful military blows - and soon - and that Israel would bring all the military and diplomatic power needed to force Hamas to bring the hostages home.

In a reference to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's plan to sanction the Netzach Yehudah Battalion for alleged human rights violations, Netanyahu said that "I will strongly defend the IDF, our army and our fighters. If somebody thinks they can impose sanctions on a unit in the IDF – I will fight this with all my powers."