Netanyahu Reaffirms Commitment to Ongoing Strikes Against Hamas and Hezbollah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed that Israel would continue taking “all necessary measures” to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its military capacity in Lebanon and to stop Hamas from reorganizing in Gaza.

Israel has carried out several strikes in Lebanon over the past week. On Saturday, the Israeli military said it targeted Hezbollah launchers and other military positions.

In Gaza, the civil defence agency reported that 21 people were killed and dozens injured following multiple Israeli airstrikes on Saturday, as both Israel and Hamas accused each other of violating the fragile ceasefire that has been in place since October 10.

Opening a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said:
“We are continuing to strike terrorism on several fronts. This weekend, the IDF struck in Lebanon, and we will continue to do everything necessary to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing its threat capability against us.”

He added that Israel was taking similar action in Gaza:
“Since the ceasefire, Hamas has not stopped violating it, and we are acting accordingly.”

Saturday marked one of the deadliest days since the US-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas began after two years of conflict.

According to the Israeli military, an “armed terrorist” crossed the “yellow line”—the boundary Israeli forces withdrew behind—and opened fire at soldiers. In response, Israeli forces launched strikes on what they described as “terror targets” in Gaza.

Netanyahu also claimed Hamas had made “several attempts” to cross the yellow line to attack Israeli troops.
“We have thwarted this with great force and also retaliated and exacted a very heavy price. That includes many terrorists we eliminated,” he said.

Rejecting suggestions that Israel needed external authorization before taking military action, he stated:
“It is an absolute lie. We decide independently of any factor, and that is how it should be. Israel is responsible for its own security.”

The Israeli military and the Shin Bet security agency said Saturday’s strikes killed Alaa Haddadeh, described as the “head of supply and equipment” within Hamas’s production headquarters. According to a joint statement, he was responsible for transferring weapons to battalion and field commanders.

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