Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today in a video address on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover, which begins tomorrow night, that Israel will carried out more painful attacks against the Islamist Palestinian group "Hamas" in the Gaza Strip, reported DPA, quoted by BTA.
The Prime Minister announced that there would be "more painful blows" on "Hamas", specifying that "this will happen soon".
DPA recalls that Israeli forces are preparing a ground operation in the southern city of Rafah, on the border of the Gaza Strip with Egypt.
Netanyahu noted that recently "Hamas" takes a more adamant stance on a possible ceasefire deal in the enclave and the release of hostages held by the Islamist movement.
"Instead of deviating from their radical positions, now from "Hamas" are taking advantage of the division between us, encouraged by the pressure on the Israeli government," the Prime Minister said.
"In the coming days, we will increase military and diplomatic pressure on "Hamas," because this is the only way to free the hostages and achieve our victory,", Netanyahu said.