Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it very clear on Tuesday, in his first remarks since 24 hours before Israel launched a major offensive on the Gaza Strip, that the country had returned to war against Hamas in Gaza.
He stressed in a televised address from Tel Aviv that Israel “will continue to fight” until all its war goals, which include the return of all remaining prisoners and the final destruction of Hamas, are achieved. He also stressed that under his leadership, Gaza would never again pose a threat to Israel.
He declared that any negotiations to restore the ceasefire would continue “only under fire.” In this way, he pointed firmly to the endless continuation of the war after a two-month temporary ceasefire that has now completely broken down.
This has sparked large protests in the Israeli capital and Jerusalem by supporters of the remaining victims, led by their families. Addressing them, Netanyahu said: “My heart, all our hearts are with the hostages and their families.”
“They are experiencing an inhuman nightmare every day and every minute,” he said, stressing that he would continue to work tirelessly for their return. However, he rejected as “false” allegations that he was sabotaging the peace process for political reasons.
Netanyahu also lambasted the media, saying, “They have no shame, they have no red lines, and that his critics are simply repeating Hamas propaganda over and over again.”
He then made it clear:
“So I want to say to Hamas – don’t count on it. Because nothing will stop us from achieving all the goals of the war.”
“This is just the beginning,” the Israeli leader said in his characteristically unapologetic and fiery manner. He also expressed appreciation for US military assistance against the Houthis in Yemen.
Earlier in the day, the Houthis launched a ballistic missile at southern Israel, without causing any injuries on the ground.
Gaza health authorities have meanwhile reported that hundreds of people have already died, and local hospitals describe the feeling as “Armageddon” all over again.
The White House said it was aware that Israel was preparing for further military strikes and had given the green light for Israeli strikes, after Trump had spent weeks debating a plan to expel Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, which international groups have condemned as ethnic cleansing.
