Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Jewish state during a Saturday address that the military has moved into a “second stage” of the ongoing war against Hamas, which reportedly includes mobilizing ground forces into Gaza.
The Israeli leader noted that the conflict is a fight for the survival of the country, adding that the war would only get more intense once the ground invasion of the territory sets in, according to the Associated Press.
Israel’s invasion into Gaza comes after Hamas terrorists launched a surprise attack on the Jewish state on October 7, where hundreds of Jews were slaughtered and many more were abducted, raped, and tortured.
Netanyahu said that “[t]here are moments in which a nation faces two possibilities: to do or die.” He went on to suggest that the country now faces “that test and I have no doubt how it will end: We will be the victors. We will do and we will be the victors.”
Netanyahu went on to suggest that the current conflict is the “second War of Independence,” adding that the Jewish state is “only at the beginning.” The Israeli leader’s comments were followed up by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s own comments, stating that “[t]his will not be a short war,” according to the Wall Street Journal.
As the military campaign pushes forward in Gaza, it still remains to be seen how Israel will balance its war efforts with civilian causalities — an issue that has motivated Turkish leadership to suggest that Israel has committed war crimes since they were attacked by Hamas on October 7.
The Wall Street Journal noted that by Netanyahu not referring to the ground forces into Gaza an invasion, he appears to be open to hostage negotiations while attempting to address the issue of civilian deaths.
As Israel extends its military operations, there are those in both Europe and the U.S. who have come out in support of Palestine, despite Hamas’ brutal murders, rapes, and tortures that ultimately resulted in Israel’s response.
Senator Lindsey Graham recently referred to Turkey as “The Squad” of NATO after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Israel had committed war crimes by going into Gaza.
Erdogan had initially condemned Hamas’ attacks on Israel earlier this month, but once Israel decided to respond to the attack, he started to refer to Hamas militants as “freedom fighters.” This sentiment has been echoed in Western countries by left-leaning individuals and organizations.
Israel “Expands” Its Offensive, Enters “Second Phase Of War” With Gazawww.youtube.com
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