Netanyahu: We are ‘preparing for the next stages of the war’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Tel Aviv is “preparing for the next stages of the war,” vowing not to stop until “we achieve all our victory goals.”

His remarks were made in a speech he delivered before the Knesset plenum yesterday evening, which was held after 40 Knesset members (out of 120) signed a summons for Netanyahu in a session to discuss the formation of an official investigations committee into the events of 7 October 2023.

Netanyahu said at the start of his speech: “We are preparing for the next stages of the war—on seven fronts.”

“We will not stop until we achieve total victory — returning all our hostages, destroying Hamas’ military and governing power and ensuring Gaza is no longer a threat to Israel.”

Netanyahu boasted that Israel recovered some of its captives as part of the deals with Hamas, saying that some did not believe Israel would recover even one.

Opposition Knesset members boycotted Netanyahu’s speech in the Knesset plenum.

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After Netanyahu addressed the families of the Israeli captives at the beginning of his speech, Labour MK Gila Kariv yelled at Netanyahu, “These are bereaved families! You don’t even know,” to which he responded, “I know very well what bereaved families are. Shame on you!”

He claimed that “Hamas has entrenched itself in its negative stance after Israel accepted the Witkoff framework,” in reference to the US special envoy to the Middle East’s proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire for six weeks during Ramadan.

He said that Israel was not violating any agreements with Hamas, but remained prepared to resume fighting if necessary, noting that they have the option of returning to fighting from the 42nd day if they feel that the negotiations are useless.

He went on to threaten Hamas with “consequences they cannot imagine” if they do not return the captives.

Netanyahu was forced to stop his speech several times due to interruptions and shouting by the opposition lawmakers. He accused them of spreading “false briefings” which he claims “strengthen Hamas’ resolve and harm hostage negotiations.” “You claim we are sabotaging deals? That’s a complete lie,” he added.

The Government Media Office in Gaza on Sunday revealed that the Israeli occupation army had committed more than 900 violations of the ceasefire agreement since it came into effect on 19 January, killing and wounding hundreds of Palestinians in various governorates across the Palestinian enclave.

READ: Israel violated ceasefire more than 900 times since 19 January, says Gaza govt. media office