Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed Israeli forces would carry out a “powerful” operation in Rafah after civilians in the overcrowded south Gaza city are allowed to leave, AFP reports.

“We will fight until complete victory and this includes a powerful action also in Rafah after we allow the civilian population to leave the battle zones,” Netanyahu said in a statement issued in Hebrew on his official Telegram account.

In a separate video statement, he said the only way to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas was continued military pressure.

“So far we have freed 112 of our abductees through a combination of strong military pressure and firm negotiations,” he said.

“This is also the key to the release of most of our abductees: strong military pressure and very firm negotiations.”