Jerusalem: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday Israel must “complete” the defeat of Hamas to free hostages held in Gaza, a day after Israeli media reported the army could occupy the entire territory. “It is necessary to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, to free all our hostages and to ensure that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel,” Netanyahu said during a visit to an army training facility.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said that he was determined to free hostages and "eliminate Hamas," after hostages' families approved publishing videos showing their emaciated loved ones.

Netanyahu appeared shaken in a statement after footage emerged of two hostages, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, both looking skeletal and pale in an underground tunnel.