Israel's Netanyahu warns of increasing 'pressure' on Hamas if hostages not freed

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel would intensify its pressure on Hamas if the Palestinian militant group refused to release hostages, still held in Gaza. 

Israel resumed intense air strikes across the densely populated Palestinian territory last week, followed by ground operations, shattering the relative calm of a January ceasefire with Hamas.

The first phase of a ceasefire that took effect on January 19 saw Hamas release 33 Israeli and dual national hostages, including eight deceased, and Israel free around 1,800 Palestinian detainees.