Israel will not stop until the mission to destroy Hamas is complete and “there is no alternative to victory,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday night, urging the West not to give in to pressure.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began Saturday evening’s press conference by mentioning the soldiers who died fighting Hamas terrorists during the ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, writes The Times of Israel.

• “We are doing everything to be worthy of their sacrifice and heroism. We will not stop until the mission is complete.
• There is no alternative to victory. We will defeat Hamas and return our prisoners,” Netanyahu said.

He said the Israeli army (IDF) was in Gaza City, “on the outskirts” of Shifa Hospital, the largest in the enclave, and among the terrorist leaders killed were many of those who directed the October 7 massacre in southern Israel: “Z Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar is killed, all these terrorists must die.”

“No charges against us and our soldiers will stop us”

Netanyahu again warned Iran-backed Hezbollah against meddling in the war between Israel and Hamas: “It will be the mistake of your life.” He also appealed to the leaders of the Arab countries, urging them to oppose Hamas, which “brought disaster to the city of Gaza – only blood and poverty.”

The Israeli prime minister also reiterated that there will be no ceasefire without the release of more than 240 hostages held by Hamas.

The Prime Minister of Israel called on the West to support him in his decision to abandon the ceasefire without releasing the hostages, noting that in some countries there is pressure on leaders: “Do not give in to pressure. Our war is your war.”

• “No accusations against us and our soldiers will prevent us from fulfilling our moral mission. Hamas will be destroyed and Israel will no longer be threatened by Gaza. Every time I slowed down, terrorism would come back and strike again. Therefore, we will continue the mission we have.
• If we want peace, we must destroy Hamas. If we want security, we must destroy Hamas. If we want to secure the future of the state of Israel, we must destroy Hamas.
• This is what Israel must do and this is what it will do. (…) Israel will stand up to the world if necessary,” Netanyahu insisted.

He also said the Israeli military would remain in Gaza “as long as necessary” to prevent the enclave from being used to carry out terrorist attacks against Israel.

What Netanyahu says about Macron’s criticism

Netanyahu made the comments in response to questions and criticism from French President Emmanuel Macron, who called on Israel to “stop bombing civilians in Gaza,” saying there was “no reason and no legitimacy.”

• “He made a serious mistake, factually and morally. Hamas is preventing the evacuation of civilians, not Israel,” said the Prime Minister of Israel.

– How dare you moralize us in the heat of battle?

Speaking after the prime minister, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also made comments aimed at French President Emmanuel Macron, The Times of Israel reported.

• “I hear from some world leaders, I wonder and ask them: how dare they support our morale in the midst of battle? 1,500 soldiers, civilians, women and children were abducted or killed… This happened only a month ago. Everyone saw what happened.
• I want to say to those European leaders who criticize us: The State of Israel and the people of Israel in 2023 are not 1943,” said the Israeli Defense Minister.
• “We have the means and the obligation to defend ourselves, and that is what we will do. We will not rest until we have accomplished our mission, and we will accomplish it in such a way that Hamas is defeated,” he added.

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