In a televised address on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to achieve a “crushing victory” over the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. Netanyahu characterized Israel as part of the “forces of freedom and progress” and portrayed Hamas as belonging to the “axis of evil” alongside Iran and Hezbollah. He emphasized that the conflict between Israel and Hamas is not just a local issue, but a test for all of humanity. Netanyahu rallied support from world leaders, asserting that their war against Hamas is also their own.
The Israeli Prime Minister condemned the recent incursion by Hamas on October 7 as a dark day in their history. He pledged a thorough investigation into the incident but stressed that his current priority is to lead Israel to a decisive victory over their enemies. Netanyahu laid out two main goals for Israel: to eliminate Hamas by destroying its military and governing capabilities and to do everything possible to secure the return of the hostages taken during the incursion.
Netanyahu expressed conviction that Israel would be successful in its mission. He declared that Israel is “raining down hellfire” on Hamas and claimed to have already eliminated thousands of terrorists. Furthermore, he dismissed the idea of any Hamas member being safe, asserting that “all Hamas terrorists are dead men walking.”
The Palestinian death toll from the conflict, as reported by officials in Gaza, stands at 6,546, with at least 2,704 of those being children. Israel has reported 1,405 deaths, most of which occurred during the initial Hamas attack. Netanyahu acknowledged the heavy toll of the conflict and assured Israeli citizens that the government would provide extensive assistance, similar to the support given during the COVID-19 pandemic. He promised that no one would be left behind.
Netanyahu disclosed that a ground incursion into Gaza is planned but refrained from revealing the exact timing. He explained that the operation needs to be kept confidential to safeguard the lives of Israeli soldiers. The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States has requested Israel to delay the ground attack until at least the end of the week. Anonymous officials claimed that the Pentagon needs additional time to deploy air defenses to US bases in the region due to an increase in missile and drone attacks.
In summary, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech in which he declared his determination to achieve a crushing victory over Hamas in Gaza. He positioned Israel as the forces of light and progress, contrasting it with the axis of evil that Hamas represents. Netanyahu rallied support from world leaders and assured Israeli citizens that extensive assistance will be provided. While a ground incursion into Gaza is planned, its timing remains undisclosed, and the United States has requested a delay for logistical reasons. The conflict has resulted in a significant loss of life, with both Palestinians and Israelis being affected.
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