After NYT report, Netanyahu says ending the war with Hamas still in power won’t happen

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasts “anonymous sources” in the IDF quoted telling The New York Times that Israel’s military leadership wants a ceasefire in Gaza even if it leaves Hamas in power for the time being.

“I don’t know who those unnamed parties are, but I’m here to make it unequivocally clear: It won’t happen,” says Netanyahu in a video statement. “We will end the war only after we have achieved all of its goals, including the elimination of Hamas and the release of all our hostages.”

According to the report, which quoted nine current and former military officials, army brass see a break in the fighting as the best way to free the hostages, as well as replenish depleted weapons stocks and troop strength ahead of a possible war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Netanyahu denies the army is short on anything it needs to fulfill the goals set for it by the political leadership.

“The IDF has all the means to achieve [the goals],” he says.

“We will not succumb to defeatism, neither at The New York Times nor anywhere else,” he adds. “We are filled with the spirit of victory.”