The Israeli Occupation "Minister of Defense", Yoav Gallant, claimed Tuesday that the military operation in Rafah will not cease until Hamas is eliminated or the first hostage is recovered, as he stated.

Gallant added that the "Israeli" government is prepared to make concessions to retrieve the captives, and should this option not be available, the operation will be intensified, and the military pressure will lead to the crushing of Hamas.

“We will not cease operating in Rafah until Hamas is destroyed, or until the first hostage returns home,” Gallant said on his official “X” account.

“We may compromise in order to bring the hostages home, but if that option is removed, we will act,” he added.

"From the Rafah area came the killers who went to Sufa, to Holit, and tried to attack Yated, Yevul, Naveh, and other places. We attack and kill those who murdered our children, that should be well remembered," Gallant said in a meeting with the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) artillery units stationed on the Gaza border, across from Rafah.

"Yesterday, I ordered the IDF to enter the Rafah area, seize the crossing and carry out its missions. This operation will continue until we eliminate Hamas in the Rafah area and the entire Gaza Strip, or until the first hostage returns,” he added.

"We are ready to make compromises in order to [release] hostages, but if this option is not available, we will deepen the operation. This will happen all over the Strip, in the south, in the center, and in the north. Hamas only understands force, so we will intensify our action, and the military pressure will result in us crushing the Hamas organization," he said.