TEL AVIV, December 21. /TASS/. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will continue the war in the Gaza Strip until it destroys Hamas and achieves the release of all hostages held by the radicals.

"We are fighting to the end. We will not halt the war until all the goals we set are met: destroying Hamas, releasing all hostages," he said in a statement. "The options I’m offering to Hamas is very simple: surrender or die."

"They don’t and won’t have another choice," the prime minister went on to say. "After we destroy Hamas, I will use all my power to guarantee that Gaza will never threaten Israel again."

The situation in the Middle East sharply escalated following an incursion of Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip into Israel on October 7. Hamas has cast the attack as a response to Israeli actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Israel has declared a complete siege of the Gaza Strip and started a military operation there. Israel also strikes parts of Lebanon and Syria in retaliation for bombardments originating from these countries. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.