On Oct. 7 anniversary, Netanyahu says Israel’s enemies tried, ‘but did not break us’

Marking the two-year anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledges to “continue to act in every way to bring back all the hostages — both the living and those who were killed.”

“Our bloodthirsty enemies struck us hard, but they did not break us,” he says in his first comments marking the anniversary of the massacre, in which some 1,200 people were murdered. “They soon discovered the immense strength of the people of Israel.”

“Our soldiers and commanders are striking back with full force at those who seek our harm, on every front, near and far,” he boasts. “Whoever raises a hand against us receives unprecedented crushing blows.”

He says that Israel has “broken the Iranian axis, together we have changed the face of the Middle East, together we will guarantee the eternity of Israel.”

With intensive talks on a potential hostage release and ceasefire deal ongoing in Egypt, Netanyahu says that Israel is “in days of historic decision.”

“We will continue to act to achieve all the goals of the war,” he promises, “the return of all our hostages, the elimination of Hamas rule, and ensuring that Gaza will never again pose a threat to Israel.”

“My wife and I bow our heads in memory of our fallen, whose image will forever be engraved in our hearts,” says the prime minister. “We embrace with love the grieving families, wish a full recovery to the wounded in body and soul.”