Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, publicly pressed Western partners about their stance on the ongoing conflict, accusing some allies of overlooking the threat posed by Hamas and of leveling accusations against the Israel Defense Forces. The remarks were reported by a major financial publication and underscored Netanyahu’s conviction that the violence in Gaza demands unwavering support from regional and global friends alike.
Netanyahu posed a challenging question to the international community: should Israel be denied the right to defend itself when confronted with what he described as the monsters within Hamas? The inquiry reflected his frustration with international voices that he believes have shifted focus away from Hamas’s acts and the danger they pose to Israeli civilians and regional stability.
The Israeli leader warned that those who issue harsh judgments against Israel may be neglecting the worst massacre since the Holocaust. He did not specify any names, but his language signaled a broader frustration with perceived double standards in how the crisis is discussed and analyzed at the global level.
In Netanyahu’s view, calls from some international actors to hold elections amid the conflict would, if acted upon, paralyze the nation for an extended period and jeopardize ongoing military and diplomatic actions. He argued that timing such elections during a high-stakes security operation would undermine the country’s ability to respond decisively to Hamas’s threats and to protect civilian lives.
Earlier, it became known that Hamas, the Palestinian movement involved in the Gaza conflict, had extended a ceasefire proposal to the mediators who are trying to broker a settlement between Israel and Hamas. The offer was put forward to the parties seen as playing a role in facilitating talks, highlighting the complex bargaining environment surrounding any effort to halt hostilities and secure terms for hostage situations and prisoner releases.
On the same day, the office of Netanyahu stated that Hamas’s position on a potential hostage release agreement, and the conditions attached to it, was not realistic. The statement reflected a cautious assessment of the obstacles that must be overcome to reach any durable understanding regarding the fate of captives and the sequence of steps needed to move toward de-escalation.
Earlier statements from Netanyahu indicated that the conflict with Hamas would extend into the coming years, with projections suggesting that the confrontation could endure into 2025. The remarks framed the campaign against Hamas as a protracted effort aimed at weakening the militant network and restoring stability to Israeli communities affected by the violence, while inviting continued international engagement to support security and humanitarian considerations.