Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel would not be able to agree to a comprehensive ceasefire to allow the return of hostages and then return to fighting in Gaza because Hamas “aren’t stupid”.

The Israeli prime minister was criticised harshly by families of hostages after giving a televised speech on Saturday evening in which vowed not to “surrender” to Hamas’s demands.

He said that caving into the group’s terms on a deal would allow them to continue to rule Gaza and prepare another Oct 7-style massacre.

“If we do not complete the destruction of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities, the next Oct 7 and the next abductions are only a question of time. Hamas says that they will do it. They intend to do it and they are working on it,” Mr Netanyahu said.