Israel should not expect Hamas to voluntarily release the hostages it is holding, so it must defeat the militant group before meaningful negotiations can take place concerning Gaza, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker told Newsmax on Sunday.

“We have to recognize that Hamas is never going to give up these hostages,” Volker said on Newsmax’s “Sunday Report.” “They view this as their only bargaining chip. So as long as we allow that to deter us or to deter Israel, then this war will go on.”

His comments came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this weekend addressed the possibility of taking over Gaza to root out Hamas, while families of hostages continue to plead for their loved ones’ release.

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