Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel has set a goal of destroying the military and governing capabilities of Hamas. He noted that Israel is doing this "systematically" and added that a ceasefire will not happen in Gaza as it would amount to surrendering to Hamas, who killed 1,400 people and took over 230 people as hostages.
At the start of the Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said, "We are in the midst of the war. We have set the clear goal of destroying Hamas's military and governing capabilities. We are doing this systematically."
Netanyahu said that Israel Defence Forces has expanded its ground incursion in the Gaza Strip. He said, "The first blocking stage is over. The 2nd stage, pounding them from the air is continuing all the time. The 3rd stage - the IDF has expanded its ground incursion inside the Gaza Strip. It is doing so in measured, very powerful, steps making methodical, step-by-step progress."
He said, "Calls for a ceasefire are calls for Israel to surrender to Hamas, to surrender to terrorism... this will not happen," he said, vowing Israel would "fight until this battle is won".
He stated that Israel is working to have active deterrence on the northern front. He further said, "I reiterate to Nasrallah: You will be making the mistake of your lives if you decide to fully intervene in the campaign. You will receive a blow that you cannot even imagine."
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Netanyahu said that Israel is continuing the efforts to free the hostages and stressed that this campaign will take time. He noted that there will be "losses, difficulties and surprises." However, Hamas in the end "will be crushed."
He stressed that Israel for this needs patience and time and ensuring diplomatic support. Netanyahu said that he is in daily contact with US President Joe Biden and his team is talking with their counterparts constantly."
He said, "We have made it clear that we are fighting not only our war, but their war as well; because if Hamas is not defeated, then the axis of evil will win. And if the axis of evil wins, the free world will lose." He added, "This effort is also a humanitarian effort. This is true in and of itself, and because it assists our forces. We are trying to move the population to the southern Gaza Strip."
Netanyahu said that Israel has made a safe zone and it is there Israel wants to direct the humanitarian assistance. He said that Israel is doing this in coordination with the US and stressed that the process will take time.
At the start of the cabinet meeting, he said that Israel had formed a national emergency government for the war. He noted, "The nation is more united now than it has ever been. There is a fighting spirit among the soldiers; I visit them." He spoke about meeting Israel Police Unit 33 - the Gidonim.
Netanyahu said, "This morning, I was with the Gidonim. Before that, I had been with all of the forces. One simply needs to see them imbued with fire because they understand that we are fighting for our existence, and it is this unity that will be decisive."
Netanyahu called terrorists of Hamas "monsters" and stated that Israel would continue to hunt them down. He hailed the Shin Bet security agency and IDF for rescuing the soldier captured by Hamas.