Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this evening that he always believed all the hostages could be
By Sammy,
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this evening that he always believed all the hostages could be returned from Gaza, even amid intense pressure from within Israel and abroad. Speaking a day after the return of the body of Ran Gvili, the final hostage, Netanyahu said the mission had been completed in full through a combination of military and diplomatic pressure. He thanked the IDF, Shin Bet, Israel Police, the United States administration, and senior officials involved in the effort, including Ron Dermer and hostage coordinator Gal Hirsch, who joined him at the press conference.
Addressing the next phase of the Gaza framework associated with Donald Trump, Netanyahu said Israel is now focused on what he described as its two remaining objectives: dismantling Hamas's weapons and fully demilitarizing Gaza, including arms stockpiles and tunnel infrastructure. He stressed that Gaza will not be rebuilt before it is disarmed, and warned that Israel will not allow the process to move forward under alternative arrangements. "There are only two possibilities," he said. "Either it will be done the easy way or it will be done the hard way - but in any case, it will happen."
Netanyahu rejected reports and speculation that foreign forces could be deployed in Gaza, stating that Turkish or Qatari troops will not be permitted to enter the Strip. He also ruled out the establishment of a Palestinian state, saying this has not happened and will not happen. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel will maintain security control over the entire area from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, including the Gaza Strip, and said successive governments under his leadership have consistently blocked efforts to establish a Palestinian state.
The prime minister confirmed that Israel has agreed to a limited reopening of the Rafah crossing for pedestrian passage only, under full Israeli inspection and security oversight. He said everyone entering and exiting will be inspected, and that Hamas committed to providing all available intelligence regarding hostages. Netanyahu said that intelligence has now been exhausted, leading to the successful recovery of Gvili. He added that Israel is meeting its obligations under the agreement.
On Iran, Netanyahu warned that any significant attack on Israel would be met with a painful and unprecedented response. He said Israel is fully sharing its intelligence and concerns with Washington, but stressed that Israel will ultimately make its own decisions regardless of external pressure. When asked about a New York Times report claiming he had requested that Trump refrain from attacking Iran during Trump's presidency, Netanyahu did not directly deny the report.
Netanyahu also addressed domestic political and legal issues. He said calls to establish an investigation committee into the October 7 Simchat Torah massacre are being used as a political tool, but stated he is prepared to appear before a genuine state inquiry once one is formed to draw real conclusions. He said everyone will bear responsibility after such a committee reveals what truly happened, adding that he would be the first to stand up and be held accountable.
The prime minister dismissed allegations surrounding "Qatar-gate," saying a judge found no substance to the claims, and said his adviser Jonathan Urich did not discuss the matter with him. He also described allegations involving Tzachi Braverman as a "huge fake" and a "witch hunt" that damages democracy. Netanyahu clarified earlier remarks regarding senior security officials Hallevi and Bar, stating that while they did appear before the state comptroller, they did not address the core issues of the inquiry.
Netanyahu also said Israel is close to completing the passage of the conscription law, expressing hope that both the state budget and the law will be approved. He criticized the former chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, saying efforts to pass the legislation were extremely difficult under his leadership and that his trust in that official had not been justified.
During the press conference, hostage coordinator Gal Hirsch delivered emotional remarks, describing the effort to return the hostages as the hardest mission of his life. He thanked security and diplomatic teams in Israel and abroad, placing particular emphasis on the role of the United States in securing the return of all the hostages.
Following the briefing, opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized Netanyahu for taking credit for the return of the hostages. Lapid said it is impossible to celebrate their return without acknowledging the circumstances under which they were abducted, and argued that anyone seeking credit must also take responsibility for those who were killed, including hostages taken alive who later died in captivity.
Topics: Iran, Gaza, IDF
Reported by Sammy for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.