“Today more than ever, we are in the midst of an enormous campaign for our very existence,” said the Israeli prime minister.

The Israeli defense minister briefed visiting U.S. CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla.

The Hamas leader in Gaza is believed by U.S. intelligence to be hiding in the tunnels underneath Khan Younis.

The images show Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Daniella Gilboa and Naama Levy shortly after they were abducted from their base in Nahal Oz.

Analyzing the positions of the U.S. administration, Iran, Hezbollah and Israel, none of the parties is interested in a regional war.

“Look, if there weren’t an Israel, every Jew in the world would be at risk,” said the president, adding that Hamas are “a bunch of thugs.”

The diplomatic cold shoulder comes against a backdrop of strained relations, most notably Oslo’s recognition of a Palestinian state.

The sanctioned Israelis are Moshe Sharvit, Zvi Bar Yosef, Isaschar Manne, Bentzi Gopstein and Baruch Marzel.

The victims were lightly hurt by shards of glass after their vehicle came under fire.