Recently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel’s war against the terrorist organization Hamas would continue at “full force” until every member of the group has been killed. Netanyahu delivered these statements during a speech at a press conference with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister Benny Gantz at the Kirya in Tel Aviv.
Israel has been locked in a violent conflict with Hamas for nearly six weeks following the deadly attack that claimed well over 1,000 Israeli lives while also killing dozens of American citizens. The October 7 attack has been labeled as the deadliest attack in Israeli history.
“The war against Hamas-ISIS is advancing at full force and it has one goal – victory. There is no substitute for victory. We will eliminate Hamas and bring back our hostages,” Netanyahu said. “IDF forces have completed the encirclement of the city of Gaza. They are operating in the heart of the city and are on the outskirts of Shifa Hospital. They have eliminated thousands of terrorists including senior commanders and arch-murderers who were among those involved in the terrible massacre on the cursed Saturday of October 7.”
The Prime Minister claimed that Hamas was losing control of territory, such as the Northern Gaza Strip, as Israeli military forces actively hunt down the terrorist organization. “From Sinwar to the last terrorist – all of Hamas are dead men,” he said. “Our forces are attacking them above ground and underground. We will continue at full force, at full strength, until victory.”
Netanyahu explained that the goal of the military operation was to have the hundreds of hostages safely returned. The Prime Minister stated that he is doing everything in his power to save these captured individuals and bring them back to their families.
“The return of our hostages is a main goal of the war,” he said. “This goal is the top priority for me and my colleagues here. To this end, I convene in-depth discussions on a daily basis in the War Cabinet that I chair. When I meet with representatives of the families – this past Thursday, I had an additional very emotional meeting together with my wife – when I meet with them, I see the nightmare and the pain in their eyes. I tell them: ‘We will do everything to bring them back.’”
Netanyahu further illustrated that Israel would stop at nothing until the hostages are safely rescued, maintaining that no amount of external pressure would deter the Jewish nation from fulfilling its cause. The Israeli leader emphasized that Hamas needs to be “eliminated.”
“About the hostages, my directive and that of the Cabinet is clear: There will be no ceasefire without the return of our hostages,” he continued. “I would also like to clarify that the holding of the international contacts on the release of the hostages is being carried out by Mossad Director David Barnea, with the assistance of Maj.-Gen. Nitzan Alon, and when we have something to say, something concrete, we will update the families and submit it to the full Government. Until then, prudence would dictate silence.”
“No international pressure, or reviling of IDF soldiers and our state will change our faith in the justice of our cause and in our right and our obligation to defend ourselves,” he said. “Hamas needs to be eliminated. If we want to ensure the future of the State of Israel – Hamas needs to be eliminated. This is what Israel must do and this is what Israel will do.”
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