Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for the release of hostages through a “decisive military victory” as an understanding forms that Hamas is not interested in a deal, a diplomatic source said.

The source’s comments came as relatives of the captives criticised reports of expanded military operations in Gaza and slammed Netanyahu’s video statement reacting to harrowing hostage footage, which suggested there was no ceasefire hostage deal in sight.

“In an understanding that Hamas is not interested in a deal” the source said “the prime minister is pushing for the release of hostages through decisive military victory, combined with the entry of humanitarian aid to areas outside the combat zone, and, as much as possible, outside of Hamas control.”