ISRAEL: Reiterating his words, “Israel is in a battle for its existence”, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his objective against the Hamas war is “saving the nation” and vowed that a ground incursion to destroy Hamas in Gaza will commence soon, a local news agency reported on Wednesday.
He says that Israel is getting prepared for a ground operation, but he won’t disclose when or how. He says he won’t go over the whole range of factors involved.
“We are preparing for a ground incursion. I won’t specify when, how, how many. I also won’t detail the range of considerations, most of which the public is not aware of. And that’s the way it is supposed to be. This is the way, so that we protect our soldiers’ lives.”
During a national address, Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasised that Israel is currently engaged in a battle for its very survival.
He outlined the two primary objectives of the war: first, to eliminate Hamas by targeting its military and governing capabilities; and second, to make every possible effort to secure the release of Israeli hostages.
According to the local news agency, the Prime Minister also emphasised that “all Hamas members are dead men walking—above and below ground, inside and outside Gaza.”
He further mentioned that, in collaboration with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Minister Benny Gantz, the security cabinet, the chief of staff, and leaders of security agencies, they are tirelessly working to attain the war objectives without being swayed by political considerations.
“Saving the nation, achieving victory” is the aim. He says that thousands of terrorists have been slain, but that is just the beginning.
Netanyahu says that the decision about the date of the ground invasion was unanimous. The war cabinet and the chief of staff unanimously decided on the timing of the operation, he claims.
He asserts that during the ground invasion, “We will extract the full price from those murderers, those perpetrators of atrocities… from Hamas-Daesh.”
He again urges Gazan noncombanats to flee to southern Gaza.
He expressed deep sorrow for the loss of 1,400 individuals during the Hamas onslaught, honouring “our brothers and sisters who were slaughtered in cold blood and who fell in heroic battles” against the attackers.
He also announced that days of mourning would be established in memory of those who perished in the attack.
Furthermore, he made a commitment to rebuild the devastated southern kibbutzim and communities.
The Prime Minister emphasised that government ministries are developing plans to support the displaced within Israel, drawing a parallel to the way they handled the population during the COVID pandemic.
Netanyahu also mentioned that Israel is seeking assistance from international leaders, highlighting their understanding that “Hamas is ISIS, and ISIS is Hamas.”
According to The Times of Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that this war is not just for Israel but for all of humanity. He underscored that the world now recognises that Israel’s struggle is a shared one, a battle between light and darkness.
Also Read: Israeli Forces Launch Airstrikes on Gaza amidst Clashes with Hamas
