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Israel determined to get win against Hamas meaning release of hostages — PM

Israeli military "has destroyed three fourths of Hamas battalions" in Gaza, Benjamin Netanyahu said

TEL AVIV, February 18. /TASS/. Israel is determined to get a win against the radical Palestinian movement Hamas, which also means the release of hostages being held in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated.

"We are determined to get a win [against Hamas], which also means the release of hostages. Our formula is simple - strong military pressure and a hard line at the talks," he said, adding that the Israeli military "has destroyed three fourths of Hamas battalions" in Gaza.

"I hope that we will be able to reach an agreement on release on hostages soon," the prime minister said, adding that for doing this, in particular, "it is necessary to put pressure on Qatar."

Israel will not accept international dictates that is trying to impose the recognition of the State of Palestine on it, Netanyahu added.

"One thing that Israel definitely cannot accept is international dictates that will be trying to recognize the State of Palestine unilaterally, virtually imposing the State of Palestine on us [Israel - TASS] after the massacre of October 7. The Israeli people are united around this position," he stressed.