Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his government's key objectives in the war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip: destroying the militant group and securing the return of all hostages held in Gaza.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said the Hamas militant group had become difficult to deal with in recent days, but he was talking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about "various plans" to free hostages still held in the enclave.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at his British counterpart on Tuesday after the U.K. government vowed to recognize Palestinian statehood later this year. “ [U.K. PM Keir] Starmer rewards Hamas’s monstrous terrorism & punishes its victims,” Netanyahu said in a post on X.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday his government was considering “alternative options” to ceasefire talks with Hamas after Israel and the U.S. recalled their negotiating teams, throwing the future of the negotiations into further uncertainty.

The US has joined Israel in accusing Sir Keir Starmer of rewarding Hamas by announcing a plan to recognise Palestine as a state. The Prime Minister announced on Tuesday that the step would be taken in September unless Israel met a series of conditions.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) blasted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him "a disgusting liar."