Netanyahu says his April ‘step from victory’ declaration was misunderstood, dismisses health concerns

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is asked to explain his April 6 claim that Israel was a “step from victory” when Israel still does not seem that close, and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi has said the war would continue into 2025.

“What I meant to say was that we were a step away from the critical thing that will pave our way to victory,” Netanyahu says, referring to the Rafah offensive that Israel launched a month later.

“I didn’t think that we could have this victory if we didn’t go into Rafah, and I withstood quite a bit of international pressure and American pressure to go into Rafah and to Philadelphi [Corridor],” he says.

“Now, we’re in a position to destroy Hamas militarily. There’s still work to be done to destroy its governance capability,” he continues. “I don’t want to administer Gaza, but I want to take this away from them.”

Israel is “well ahead” in its program for victory, he says.

The premier is also pressed as to whether he is healthy enough to continue managing the war, given that he was fitted with a pacemaker last year and has faced some complications.

Netanyahu says he will continue serving for as long as necessary and as long as he receives a mandate from the people.

“As far as my health is concerned, it’s fine,” he adds.