At a government meeting Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to crush Hamas completely, rejecting calls to end the war prematurely and insisting Israel must maintain long-term security control over Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the surge of nationwide demonstrations on Sunday, warning that calls to halt the war without the full defeat of Hamas would be disastrous for Israel’s security.
“Those calling today for an end to the war without defeating Hamas are not only hardening Hamas’ position and delaying the release of our hostages,” Netanyahu declared. “They are also ensuring that the horrors of October 7 will repeat themselves and that Israel will be dragged into an endless war.”
Reviewing ongoing operations, Netanyahu revealed that:
- The Israeli Navy struck power facilities in Yemen,
- IDF forces eliminated dozens of terrorists in Gaza’s Zeitoun neighborhood,
- The Air Force hit senior Hezbollah officials and rocket launchers in Lebanon.
He emphasized that all actions in Lebanon remain consistent with the current ceasefire framework: “According to the agreement, we will enforce with fire any violation and any attempt to arm Hezbollah.”
Turning to Gaza, Netanyahu insisted that Israel’s continued security control is a non-negotiable condition for ending the conflict: “We demand not only that Hamas disarm, but that Israel enforce disarmament over time, striking any attempt to rearm by terrorist elements.”
The prime minister rejected Hamas’ demands for a full Israeli withdrawal, warning: “They want us to leave the Strip entirely — the north, the south, the Philadelphi Corridor, the security perimeter. That would allow them to regroup, rearm, and attack us again.”
Concluding with a rallying call, Netanyahu expressed confidence in Israel’s unity and strength: “Together we have achieved great achievements against our enemies on all fronts. Together we fight — and with God’s help, together we will achieve victory and end this war.”
