As the international community continues pressing Israel to halt its military campaign against Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to give in. He has repeatedly affirmed that there will be no “ceasefire” until after Hamas is defeated.

In televised remarks on Friday, Netanyahu once again noted that Israel will not let up until the enemy is defeated and the hostages freed.

In a brief televised statement before the start of Shabbat, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has told visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that he rejects any temporary halt to the fight against Hamas that does not include “the release of our hostages. He also says Israel “will not enable the entry of fuel to Gaza.”

Netanyahu begins by promising that victory will be “sharp and clear” and will “resonate for generations.”

He says Israel’s enemies aim to destroy the country and will fail. “We won’t stop until victory,” he says, specifying that this means “to destroy Hamas, [and attain the] return of the hostages and the restoration of security for our citizens and children.”

Late last month, Netanyahu explained why Israel cannot afford to let up. “Just as the U.S. would not agree to a ceasefire after the bombing of Pearl Harbour or after the terrorist attack of 9/11, Israel will not agree to a cessation of hostilities with Hamas after the horrific attacks of 7 October,” he said.

Over the past week, Israeli forces have intensified their efforts to root out and exterminate Hamas terrorists operating in Gaza. They have bombarded the area with airstrikes and have carried out limited ground operations in the region. Concerns about the hostages abound with some arguing that halting the violence will provide more opportunities for the individuals being held by Hamas to be released.

The war has certainly produced unspeakable horrors and tragedies – especially for non-combatants. But what is interesting about the response coming from the international community is that it seems one-sided. Why is the onus on Israel to stop going after Hamas, the organization that started this whole mess in the first place?

There is nothing Israel could have done that justifies Hamas’ wholesale slaughter of Israeli men, women, and children. Why aren’t progressives in the West and others who purport to care about Palestinian civilians calling on Hamas to cease fire and release hostages? Why is all their scrutiny going toward Israel?

The answer is simple.

Their motivations are political, not principled. Hamas can slaughter over one thousand people with impunity knowing that the United Nations and leftist politicians in America and elsewhere will still use the situation to lash out at Israel as it seeks to eliminate the threat that brought about the carnage in the first place.

Nevertheless, it appears those who want Israel to give Hamas a reprieve are going to be disappointed once again. If Netanyahu’s words are any indication, this war won’t be over until Hamas is no longer able to pose a threat to Israel’s population.