Netanyahu: Israel will continue to fight to the end in the war against Hamas

(Patria) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel will "continue to fight to the end" in the war between Israel and Hamas, AP reported.

Netanyahu also said that Israel will "achieve all our goals," including the release of hostages taken on October 7.

Israel continued its offensive on Gaza on Sunday after a series of shootings, including three hostages who were shirtless and waving a white flag, raising questions about its conduct in the ten-week war that has brought unprecedented death and destruction.

Gaza remained in a communications blackout for the fourth consecutive day, the longest of several outages during the war. Israel could face additional pressure to scale back major combat operations when US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visits this week. Washington has expressed growing unease over civilian casualties and the mass displacement of 1.9 million Palestinians, nearly 85 percent of Gaza's population, although it has provided vital military and diplomatic support to its close ally.

The air and ground war has flattened vast parts of northern Gaza and driven most of the population to the southern part of the besieged territory, where many are housed in crowded shelters and tent camps.