At the close of the nineteenth day of the war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made his second appearance in front of the cameras, elucidating the objectives of the ongoing war: the eradication of Hamas and the safe return of abducted individuals. Notably, this was the first time the Prime Minister directly addressed the issue of his own responsibility for any shortcomings in the operation, stating, "We will thoroughly investigate what transpired on the southern border and in the Gaza Strip. This failure will undergo a comprehensive examination, with everyone being held accountable, including myself. However, these inquiries will only commence after the cessation of hostilities."
Netanyahu asserted, "Every member of Hamas is a legitimate target—whether above ground, below ground, inside Gaza, or beyond its borders." He revealed that preparations for a ground offensive were underway but refrained from disclosing specifics regarding "when, how, and to what extent," citing a complex set of considerations, the majority of which remain classified. He emphasized the necessity of maintaining secrecy to safeguard the lives of Israeli soldiers.
NOW - Netanyahu: "We are the people of the light, they are the people of darkness... we shall realize the prophecy of Isaiah." pic.twitter.com/ge1mlE7iez
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) October 25, 2023
Addressing the timing of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) actions, the Prime Minister emphasized that decisions were made collectively by the War Cabinet in conjunction with the Chief of Staff. "We are diligently working to create the most favorable conditions for our troops in subsequent operations. When we do enter Gaza to continue the fight, we will exact the full toll from the perpetrators of the heinous acts committed by Hamas-ISIS. Once again, I implore the non-combatant population in Gaza to relocate to the southern Gaza Strip for their safety."
In regards to his working relationship with Defense Minister Galant, Minister Benny Gantz, the Defense Cabinet, the Chief of Staff, and the leaders of the defense branches, Netanyahu stated, "We are tirelessly pursuing the war's objectives until victory is achieved. Our actions are devoid of political considerations. Our singular focus is the preservation of our nation and the attainment of victory."
He highlighted that since the conflict's outset, 600 new reserve civilian defense units had been established. "In addition to the substantial influx of weaponry from abroad, we will further bolster these efforts by enlisting additional forces. We actively encourage and support citizens in obtaining personal weapons for self-defense, with stringent oversight."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today, at the Kirya in Tel Aviv, with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer: "It’s the worst atrocities committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. It’s worse than ISIS."https://t.co/rNad81bvG6 pic.twitter.com/L0DCg7ZZWc
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 25, 2023
He concluded his words by underscoring his responsibility as prime minister to secure the nation's future, emphasizing his role in leading Israel and its people towards an unequivocal triumph over their adversaries. "Now is the moment to unite our efforts towards one goal: a resounding victory. With our collective resolve and unwavering faith in the enduring essence of Israel, we will fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah: 'Hamas (a term signifying violence in Hebrew) shall no longer be heard in your land, and within your borders, neither devastation nor destruction shall prevail; but you shall name your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise.'"
