Israel’s determination to complete its war objectives in Gaza was emphasized on Tuesday by Benjamin Netanyahu, ahead of the security cabinet meeting. According to Israeli media reports, the prime minister is expected to propose the full occupation of the Gaza Strip, with the primary goal of defeating Hamas.
“The die is cast… Our goal is the complete conquest of the Gaza Strip – and the defeat of Hamas,” a senior official stated characteristically. During his visit to the Bakum recruit training base in central Israel, Netanyahu met with new soldiers from the Armored Corps and Combat Engineering Corps, whom he praised for their “exceptional performance” in the war.
Netanyahu: Need to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, free all hostages
In a video shared by his office, Netanyahu is seen greeting and bidding farewell to the new troops, praising both corps for their “exceptional performance in this war.” “These two forces are what brought us the great victories we have achieved so far,” the prime minister says, referring to the attacks against Hamas, Hezbollah, the Assad regime in Syria, and Iran.
“But there is still a need to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, free all our hostages, and ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel,” he continued, reiterating his three declared objectives for the war.
“We are not abandoning any of these missions. We will achieve them together through the great sacrifice of our male and female soldiers,” the Israeli prime minister declared.
“Increase in the number of women volunteering for combat roles”
Netanyahu noted that this is the sixth recruitment cycle during the war, adding that “more soldiers than ever” are being recruited, and “there has also been a tremendous increase in the number of women volunteering for combat roles.”
The Israeli prime minister announced on Monday that within the week he will give “instructions” for continuing the war and the complete occupation of the enclave, despite the mounting pressure his government faces to end the armed conflict and close a deal to secure the release of hostages who were abducted on October 7, 2023.
