Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel made a surprise visit to the Gaza Strip on Sunday, taking the opportunity during a temporary ceasefire to visit his country's troops and inspect Hamas' terror tunnels. This was his first visit to Gaza since the Israeli ground invasion began almost a month ago, making it a significant and highly symbolic gesture. The details of the visit were initially withheld by the government until Netanyahu had safely left the Palestinian enclave.

Accompanied by his national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, his military secretary, Maj. Gen. Avi Gil, and the Israeli military's deputy chief of staff, Maj. Amir Baram, Netanyahu donned protective gear, including a T-shirt, jeans, a khaki flak jacket, and a helmet. Photographs released by the Israeli government showed him consulting with commanders, examining a map, and standing just inside a recently exposed tunnel.

Netanyahu addressed the Israeli soldiers in a video statement, expressing his unwavering determination to achieve victory and eliminate Hamas. "We are continuing until the end - until victory," he declared confidently. "Nothing will stop us. We have the force, the strength, the will, and the determination to achieve all of our goals for the war."

During his visit, Netanyahu emphasized the three main objectives of the war: eliminating Hamas, ensuring the safe return of all Israeli hostages held by the terrorist group, and preventing Gaza from posing a threat to Israel in the future. His presence in Gaza demonstrated Israel's commitment to these goals and conveyed a message of resilience and resolve to both the Israeli soldiers and the international community.

The temporary ceasefire, which began on Friday, was part of a deal that included the release of at least 50 Israeli hostages by Hamas in exchange for the freedom of at least 150 Palestinian prisoners and increased aid for Gaza. Israel offered to extend the pause by one day for every additional 10 hostages released. Following Netanyahu's visit, Hamas announced its intention to seek an extension of the truce, which was originally scheduled to end on Tuesday.

President Biden also voiced his support for extending the ceasefire during a press conference, confirming the release of 4-year-old American-Israeli Abigail Edan, the first American hostage to be freed since the temporary truce began. Biden emphasized the importance of the ceasefire in providing assistance to Gaza civilians and facilitating the release of hostages. He expressed his ongoing discussions with the Israeli prime minister to extend the pause as long as more hostages are freed.

While some analysts argue that a longer ceasefire may make it difficult for Israel to resume fighting, Netanyahu remains resolute in his determination to root out Hamas. His visit to Gaza and his statement to the troops reaffirm Israel's commitment to achieving its goals, ensuring the safety of its citizens, and maintaining its security in the face of ongoing threats from Hamas.