Israel has achieved "major victories" in its two-year war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, but "the fight is not over," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
"Together we have achieved great victories, victories that have astonished the entire world. And I want to tell you: everywhere we have fought, we have won, but I must also tell you that the fight is not over," Netanyahu said in an address to the nation, ahead of the expected return of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
"We still have very big security challenges ahead of us. Some of our enemies are trying to regroup to attack us again," Netanyahu stressed, adding: "We are taking that into account."
The return of the hostages, expected on Monday, will be a "historic event" full of "sadness" and "joy," he said.
Netanyahu also expressed hope that, despite "numerous disagreements," "unity of heart" will prevail in Israel, Hina reports.
Hamas is due to release the remaining 48 hostages, dead or alive, it seized during the October 7, 2023, incursion into Israel that sparked the Gaza war by 11 a.m. on Monday.
In return, Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners, including a number convicted of deadly anti-Israel attacks and 1.700 Palestinians arrested in the Gaza Strip since October 2023.
Bonus video:
