Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu entered the Gaza Strip on Tuesday to meet with Israel Defense Forces personnel and deliver an address to the remaining leadership of Hamas.
Netanyahu, joined by Defense Minister Israel Katz, gave a video address from the war zone in which he vowed to finish the dismantling of Hamas in the region and prevent them from ever reestablishing governance over the local Palestinian society.
“Here in the center of the Strip and throughout the Strip, they have achieved excellent results toward our important objective — Hamas will not rule in Gaza,” Netanyahu said. “We are eliminating its military capabilities in very impressive fashion. We are moving on to its governing abilities, and we are not yet done. Hamas will not be in Gaza.”
The pair of Israeli leaders met with brigade commanders to review operational activities aimed at recovering the approximately 100 living and dead Israeli hostages believed to remain in the region.
Netanyahu has been in hot water with his political opposition, and many families of Israeli hostages are still held by Hamas. He was forced to appear before the Knesset on Monday and stand for a monthly debate in which opposition leader Yair Lapid accused him of losing the trust of the Israeli military.
“The reservists can’t trust you. They look at this government — they look at you, Mr. Netanyahu — and they know that there is no one to trust. They are fulfilling their duty. The government is not fulfilling its duty,” Lapid said during the debate, according to the Times of Israel. “Actions speak louder than words. If there’s no hostage deal, then you didn’t succeed.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu:
“I am here on the Gaza coast with the Defense Minister, the IDF Chief-of-Staff, the ISA Director and our heroic commanders and soldiers, who are doing amazing work here. pic.twitter.com/Ce83p5zvbE— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) November 19, 2024
Netanyahu seized the moment in Gaza to assure the Israeli public that hostage rescue remains his primary concern — and warn Hamas that the IDF “will pursue you and we will find you.”
“I want to say to those who are holding our hostages: Whoever dares to harm our hostages — will pay the price,” the prime minister said in his address.
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He also confirmed reports of a massive boost to the bounty offered for information leading to the securing of Israeli hostages. In addition to safe passage out of Gaza, Palestinians will be paid “$5 million for every hostage” saved with help.
“Choose — the choice is yours, but the result will be the same. We will bring them all back,” Netanyahu said.