Netanyahu: ‘There will be no ceasefire’
The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, reaffirmed on Saturday that there will be no ceasefire in Gaza and reiterated Israel’s resolve to maintain a firm security footprint in the Strip as the ground offensive intensifies. In a press briefing, the leader framed the conflict in stark terms, insisting that political goals cannot be pursued if Hamas remains in control. He conveyed that a durable peace can only come through the destruction of Hamas’ operational capabilities and the removal of the group from power, framing any pause in hostilities as a means to consolidate security gains rather than a strategic shift toward diplomacy. The administration underscored that Israel’s objective is to safeguard its citizens and its borders, while pressuring Hamas to relinquish its hold over the enclave and its network of militias. Netanyahu stressed that military actions would continue across air and ground channels, aligned with a broader campaign aimed at degrading Hamas’ command structure and capabilities. He asserted that the international community’s calls for a ceasefire do not reflect the current situation on the ground, arguing that lasting stability would require a decisive victory against the militant group and the release of captives held inside Gaza. The prime minister’s remarks linked the path to any future settlement to the ability to neutralize Hamas’ capacity to threaten Israeli security, framing the conflict as a battle whose success hinges on eliminating the threat at its source. In this framing, the war is described as a necessary exertion of power, with the aim of restoring quiet and security for neighboring communities and reaffirming Israel’s readiness to press forward until conditions permit a sustainable pause in violence.Netanyahu also indicated that the Israeli army would continue to employ a combination of aerial strikes and ground operations to dislodge militant networks, destroy weapon storage sites, and disrupt cross-border attack lines. He argued that a ceasefire would be premature while groups aligned with Hamas retain the ability to carry out attacks and endanger both Israeli civilians and residents of nearby areas. The leader reiterated that any release of approximately 240 prisoners in Gaza would be contingent on broader strategic considerations, including the disarmament of factions loyal to Hamas and the establishment of secure conditions that prevent a rapid relapse into conflict. The message from Jerusalem, as conveyed by the prime minister, is that security concerns drive every decision on the ground. The campaign, described by officials as an urgent effort to degrade Hamas’ military infrastructure, is presented as an indispensable step toward long-term regional security and resilience for Israeli towns along the borders. In this narrative, international support is welcomed but not allowed to dictate terms that could undermine decisive action against militants. The overarching projection is that, until Hamas is dismantled and the risk to civilians within Israel is markedly reduced, any suspension of hostilities would be temporary and precarious, with the ultimate goal of restoring stability only after the threat is removed from the equation. The plan, as outlined by Netanyahu, emphasizes a strong security posture and a clear, unapologetic commitment to pursuing military objectives that are believed to secure a durable peace for Israeli residents and to prevent any resurgence of violence that could threaten nationwide security. The briefing conveyed a plain message: ceasefires are contingent on Hamas’ defeat, and the path to peace lies through uncompromising military pressure and the removal of the group from the political landscape of Gaza.