Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz says he has told the army to present a plan “for the complete defeat of Hamas in Gaza”, in case a captives deal is not agreed upon by the time US President-elect Donald Trump comes into power, Al Jazeera reports according to The Times of Israel newspaper.

“We must not be drawn into a war of attrition that will cost us heavily and not lead to victory and the complete strategic defeat of Hamas and the end of the war in Gaza,” Katz said in a statement issued by his office.

In the statement, Katz “emphasised that the issue of releasing the hostages has been the top priority of the defence establishment since he took office and that everything must be done to bring them home”.

He added that a political solution to the conflict was “not relevant” to the plan because “no Arab or other party will take responsibility for managing civilian life in Gaza as long as Hamas is not completely crushed.”