Netanyahu States ‘Enough’ Israeli Hostages Alive to Justify Gaza War, Reports Reuters

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a recent interview that a sufficient number of the 132 hostages held in Gaza are alive to warrant Israel’s ongoing military efforts in the region. When asked about the status of the hostages, Netanyahu affirmed that there are “enough to warrant the kind of efforts that we’re doing.”

He expressed a commitment to making every effort to secure the return of those hostages who are alive, as well as the recovery of deceased individuals. In the same interview, he indicated that for every Hamas fighter killed in Gaza, one Palestinian civilian has also died.

Health authorities in Gaza, which is under Hamas control, estimate that around 28,000 Palestinians, primarily civilians, have been killed since the onset of the conflict in October. According to those health authorities, approximately 70% of the fatalities are women or children under 18 years old. The World Health Organization has commended the Palestinian Health Ministry’s reporting system for its reliability, and U.N. agencies frequently reference its casualty figures.

The conflict escalated following an assault by Hamas gunmen on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the capture of around 250 hostages taken back to Gaza.