“Shame on You”: Tzvika Mor Slams Ceasefire Calls, Demands Total Defeat of Hamas

Tzvika Mor, father of Eitan Mor, one of the 49 hostages still held in Gaza, issued a powerful call on August 4, 2025, urging the Israeli government to decisively defeat Hamas and seize full control of the Gaza Strip to secure the captives’ release. As chairman of the Tikvah Forum, Mor criticized the current approach in an Arutz Sheva interview, stating, “The State of Israel has reached a crossroads and must decide whether to surrender or achieve victory. It’s clear that the current path is unsustainable. There’s no point in sending soldiers to their deaths if we’re not changing the reality in Gaza.” He demanded a strategy shift, asserting, “We are calling on the Israeli government to make a decision to defeat Hamas in Gaza. To create a situation in which 100% of the Gaza Strip is under our control.”

Mor condemned calls for concessions, particularly from artists urging a ceasefire, saying, “In response to those calling on Israel to surrender, in response to the petition by artists who have betrayed the State of Israel and the Zionist project, we say to them: ‘Shame on you.’ We demand victory. Anyone who demands surrender should go knock on the doors of every bereaved and wounded family in this war and ask for their permission.” He argued that prioritizing hostages has weakened Israel’s position: “The situation in Gaza is dire because of the method of warfare, because the Prime Minister is putting the hostages above all else, and that’s why we’re not winning.” Mor insisted that choking Hamas’s supply lines would force surrender, noting, “If Hamas were solely concerned with its own survival… they would have handed over our loved ones to save their own lives. Especially now, we must not surrender.”

Addressing concerns about hostage safety, Mor said, “Such action would not endanger them from the IDF. Could the Hamas leaders holding the hostages harm them? Certainly they could. But they know this is their only ticket out. Pressure on Hamas actually increases the chances of bringing everyone home.” Mor’s stance aligns with growing calls for decisive action. Social media on X echoed his resolve, with one user stating, “Tzvika Mor is right, crush Hamas to save the hostages!”