Netanyahu says cabinet to discuss ‘next stage’ of Gaza escalation this evening: ‘In wars you reach a decision – victory’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that the military campaign in Gaza is designed “to defeat Hamas.”

Israeli officials have told The Times of Israel repeatedly that it is meant to pressure Hamas to accept Israel’s terms for a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

In a video posted to his personal X account, Netanyahu says the plan has stages and that the cabinet will discuss the next stage this evening. “We are focused on two missions,” he says, “One, to bring our hostages back. Two, to defeat Hamas. Hamas will not be there, you have to understand this.”

“In wars you reach a decision — victory,” he says as he raps the table. Netanyahu rejects the notion that he is pursuing the war for political benefit, saying the refusal to let Hamas and Hezbollah stay on Israel’s borders is not political.

צפו בעדכון חשוב ממני אליכם >> pic.twitter.com/hLLodqVnPz

— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) May 4, 2025

Netanyahu stresses that calls to refuse call-up orders must cease, saying it encourages Hamas.

“We will achieve full victory in Gaza, total,” he adds. “Victory will bring the hostages.”

Families of hostages have increasingly doubted such assertions, arguing the military campaign has led to many hostages’ deaths and could lead to more.

Regarding the Houthis, who struck Ben Gurion Airport with a missile this morning, Netanyahu says Israel will take action against the Yemeni group. “We operated against them in the past and we will operate in the future,” he says.

“It’s not ‘bang — that’s it,'” he says, “but there will be bangs.”