Speaking at a press conference at the Israel Defense Forces’ headquarters in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu also took the opportunity to laud his handling of the war and the hostage negotiations, claiming the attack on Deif and other strikes were only possible due to his refusal to end the campaign until all the war aims were achieved.
He also contended that his insistence on attacking the southern Gazan city of Rafah had brought about the necessary pressure on Hamas to force it to begin negotiating seriously for a new hostage release deal.
There is still “a way to go” to obtain victory, Netanyahu concluded, but said it was possible with “unity, determination and faith in the justice of our cause.” Earlier this year, the prime minister said on several occasions that Israel was just “a step away” from victory.
Unlike in several similar press conferences held since October 7, Netanyahu addressed the media without Defense Minister Yoav Gallant or any other cabinet minister alongside him.
He made his remarks after Deif, together with his deputy Rafa’a Salameh, were targeted in an airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday morning as they were reportedly present in an above-ground building between the al-Mawasi designated humanitarian zone and the city of Khan Younis. READ MORE
