Israel’s prime minister reiterated at a press conference Saturday night that the ground offensive in Gaza is aimed at destroying Hamas, and said one of the main goals of the war is to free the hostages.

Benjamin NetanyahuPhoto: Abir Sultan / AP / Profimedia

“We unanimously decided to intervene by land in Gaza. We must win. We have no alternative. If you don’t win today, you will be a victim tomorrow. What happened must never happen again. This is our second war for independence. This is our life’s mission, this is my life’s mission,” Netanyahu said.

“No stone will be left unturned”

He warned that the war would be long and difficult, praised the strength of the Israeli army and called on the Palestinian population in northern Gaza to evacuate as soon as possible and go “to safe areas” for protection.

“The war in Gaza will be long and hard, and we are ready for it,” Netanyahu told a news conference in Tel Aviv, adding that his army would “destroy the enemy on the ground and underground.”

The Israeli leader also attacked those who accuse Israel of war crimes, saying they are hypocrites who actually commit such crimes.

A little earlier. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addressed hundreds of thousands of supporters at one of the largest pro-Palestinian rallies since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, accusing Israel of war crimes. “If Hamas is a terrorist organization, then Netanyahu is also a war criminal,” Erdogan shouted.

Immediately afterward, Israel’s foreign minister recalled diplomats from Turkey as relations between the two countries deteriorated.

Arrows were also pointed at Iran, “which is behind” these events, mentioning the role of the “axis of evil”: “90% of the military budget of Hamas comes from Iran”

Answering questions from the media about the situation with the hostages, Netanyahu once again acknowledged the failure and assured that their situation is always in his careful regard.

“It was a failure… I assure you that all of us who did wrong will pay. Our thoughts are always with the hostages, and we will do anything for them. My mission now is to save the country,” he shouted.