The IDF must complete its mission to destroy Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday as he pushed back on pressure to stop the war, while third-party talks for a second hostage deal appeared to falter, with both Israel and Hamas at odds over a ceasefire.

“We are fighting until victory. We will not stop the war until we achieve all of its goals: Completing the elimination of Hamas and releasing all of our hostages,” Netanyahu stated in a video message he released.

“The choice I propose to Hamas is very simple: Surrender or die. They do not have – and will not have – any other choice,” he stressed.

Netanyahu to do what he can to ensure Gaza is never a threat again

“And after we eliminate Hamas, I will use all my power to ensure that Gaza never again threatens Israel – neither Hamastan nor Fatahstan,” he added.

It’s one of several messages Netanyahu has released this week as Egypt and Qatar have held separate talks with Hamas and Israel to advance a deal to secure the release of 129 hostages in Gaza.