PM Netanyahu confirmed the IDF targeted Hamas spokesman Abu Obaida, hailed the return of hostages’ bodies as a “great achievement,” and vowed to keep striking Hamas and the Houthis across the region.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Sunday that the IDF struck Hamas Armed Wing Spokesman Abu Obaida, calling him “the evil spokesman” and suggesting Hamas itself is unable to confirm his fate.
“We still don’t know the final result. I hope he’s no longer with us, but Hamas has no one to answer that question for it. Time will tell,” Netanyahu said during the Cabinet meeting.
The Prime Minister opened his remarks by praising the recovery of the bodies of hostages Idan Shtivi and Ilan Weiss from Gaza in a joint IDF-Shin Bet operation. He described both men as “heroes” who sacrificed themselves to save others on October 7, 2023.
Netanyahu noted that so far, 207 hostages have been returned to Israel—148 of them alive—and reiterated his government’s commitment:
“This operation expresses our commitment to bringing back all of our hostages. We will bring back everyone, living and deceased.”
Clear Mandate: Defeat Hamas, Free Hostages
Netanyahu said the government had formally decided to defeat Hamas and free all hostages, with the IDF already carrying out the plan. He praised Israel’s reservists and active-duty soldiers preparing for “the mission of freeing and defeating.”
Strikes on the Houthis in Yemen
The Prime Minister also highlighted Israel’s expanding regional operations, confirming that the IAF struck senior Houthi officials in Sana’a while they were watching a speech by their leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.
“In a lethal strike, the IDF eliminated most of the Houthi government and additional senior military officials. This is only the beginning of the strike against senior officials in Sana’a—we will reach them all,” Netanyahu declared.
He dismissed the Houthis’ repeated threats to destroy Israel, saying Israel’s counter-strikes are “coming true—and how.”
Fighting the Axis of Terror
Netanyahu concluded with a broad warning:
“Israel acts consistently and continuously against all threats from the Axis of Terror. Together we will continue to operate on all fronts, and with God’s help, together we will continue to win.”
