Israel's Determination to Free Hostages from Hamas: No Negotiations, Removal from Power

Israel's National Security Council head, Tzachi Hanegbi, stated that there are currently no active negotiations with Hamas to repatriate the Israelis and other foreign nationals kidnapped by the group. Hanegbi also expressed that Israel will not negotiate with an enemy it aims to remove from power. The families of the hostages criticized the government for abandoning them. Hanegbi confirmed that around 150-200 hostages are being held by Gaza terror groups, but the government still does not have complete information on their identities and status. Hanegbi also acknowledged that Israel failed to protect its citizens from the recent Hamas onslaught and stated that the government's war goal is to remove Hamas from military and political control over the Gaza Strip.