This is an entry from: Israel-Palestine live: Week three ends with over 7,000 Palestinians killed
Israel will not delay ground invasion for hostages, minister says
24 October 2023 00:04 BST
Israel’s energy minister said the government will not hold off on a possible ground invasion of Gaza for the sake of hostages, amid speculation the US is pressuring its ally to delay the incursion.
Energy minister Israel Katz told German tabloid newspaper Bild that everything will be done to bring the hostages home, “but that cannot hinder our actions including the ground offensive, if we decide on it.”
Israel has said that Hamas took 222 people hostage following its 7 October attack. On Monday the group released two elderly Israeli hostages.