In a fiery speech at the Knesset on the opening day of the winter session, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his handling of the ongoing war in Gaza, warning that surrendering early would have led to catastrophic consequences for Israel.
According to Times of Israel, Netanyahu declared that the current ceasefire and hostage-release deal was only possible because of intense military pressure, especially the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) advance into Gaza City — described as Hamas’s last major stronghold.
“Hamas felt the sword on its neck,” he said. “It understood it was facing annihilation.”
Slamming both domestic and international critics, Netanyahu warned that halting the war prematurely would have been a victory for Hamas and Iran.
“If I had listened to many of those in this hall, and outside it… the war would have ended with a crushing victory for Hamas and the entire Iranian axis,” he said. “Israelis from all sectors of society would have gone up to heaven in nuclear smoke.”
The statement drew loud protests from opposition lawmakers, some of whom were forcibly removed from the chamber.
Netanyahu claimed that international pressure, media narratives, and voices within Israel were all aligned in urging Israel to accept what he described as Hamas’s surrender terms.
“I will not accept a war that ends on Hamas’s conditions — not with help from world governments, not with help from the international press, and not with help from anyone in this room,” he said, gesturing toward the opposition.
Despite the ceasefire, Netanyahu stressed that the fight was not over.
He said Hamas broke the truce a day earlier by killing IDF soldiers in Rafah, prompting an Israeli retaliation involving 153 tons of explosives targeting senior Hamas figures.
“The ceasefire is not a permit for Hamas to threaten us,” he asserted. “There will be a very heavy price for aggression.”
He reiterated Israel’s goal of completely dismantling Hamas’s military and governing capabilities by the end of the conflict’s next phase.
Still, Netanyahu left room for optimism, suggesting that there is a growing number of Palestinians open to peace.
“We extend a hand to those who want to live in peace,” he said, adding cryptically, “And today, there are quite a few — even a lot.”
“Peace is made with the strong,” he concluded. “And today, everyone knows that Israel is stronger than ever.” See, More, Here>>>
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