Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged on Saturday that the war against the Palestinian Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip will be “long and difficult.”

He said in a press conference held in Tel Aviv, “The war in the Gaza Strip will be long and difficult, and we are ready for it,” adding that the army “will destroy the enemy on and under the ground.”

He added that defeating Hamas is an “existential challenge” for Israel, claiming that 90 percent of the movement’s military budget comes from Iran.

He confirmed that the Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas) use hospitals in Gaza as command centers, according to what was broadcast by Reuters.

He stressed that Israel will consider “all options” to ensure the release of more than 220 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, according to what was reported by Agence France-Presse.