Israeli defence chief: Military pressure on Hamas key to hostage talks

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Galant has said that military pressure on the radical group Hamas will create conditions for an agreement on the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip.

He made such a statement at a meeting of the Knesset (parliament) Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

"Our duty is to create conditions for the return of hostages. Creating conditions is done through military pressure and is capable of leading to an agreement to release the hostages, even if it is implemented in stages," Galant said.

On August 12, at least 142 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, bringing the overall death toll to 39,897 since October 7, 2023, the Health Ministry in the enclave said. A ministry statement added that some 92,152 other people have also been injured in the assault.