Hamas has released a short statement in reaction to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks that he will release all those held in Gaza and force Hamas to surrender, Al Jazeera reports.

Hamas said that such statements reflect “psychological defeat” as they do not match realities on the ground. It added that Israeli army leaders have admitted they have not managed to retrieve Israeli captives through military action.

“Gaza will not surrender,” Hamas said.

“It has become clear that there is no way to secure the release [of the captives] except through a serious deal with the resistance.”