Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Sunday that the war in Gaza will continue until Hamas was disarmed and the Palestinian territory demilitarized, comments that contradicted the plan of US President Donald Trump, who had declared the war in the Strip was over.
In an appearance on the right-wing Israeli Channel 14, Netanyahu celebrated his 75th birthday in the presence of his wife and an audience that showered him with praise.
“When the disarming of Hamas and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip is successfully completed — hopefully in an easy way, but if not, in a hard way — then the war will end,” he said.
His comments coincided with the remarks of cabinet member, Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter, who said, “They (Hamas) understand that the more they can slow down the pace of the deceased hostages’ return, the longer they delay the execution of the second phase: laying down arms.”
At the political level, Netanyahu announced he will run for office again in the November 2026 parliamentary elections. When asked whether he expects to win, Netanyahu said, “Yes.”
The talk-show host Yinon Magal, who admires Netanyahu, asked the PM about the source of his strength in the face of local and global pressure from friends and enemies, which led the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue for him an arrest warrant.
Netanyahu responded, “From my wife. She’s an enormous treasure. She has an extraordinary ability to absorb anger and abuse and remain resilient. We went into a war, and my wife, the mighty heroine, stood by me like a lioness.”
He then added, “Of course, I draw strength from you; you didn't accept the provocation I was subjected to.”
During the TV show, the PM announced he will rename the war in Gaza “The War of Revival.” The new name replaces “Swords of Iron,” which was announced by the Israeli Army on the day of the Hamas attack.
Netanyahu also said the Rafah crossing, a checkpoint on the border with Egypt, will remain closed for the time being.
Later, his office said, “The crossing's opening will be considered based on the manner in which Hamas fulfils its part in returning the deceased hostages and implementing the agreed-upon framework.”
Later, the Kan 11 channel quoted an Israeli official as saying that Netanyahu will move military forces from the withdrawal lines stipulated in the ceasefire agreement under US President Donald Trump's plan, until a date set by Israel or until Hamas hands over the remains of Israeli captives.
“In addition to closing the Rafah crossing, Israel could impose additional sanctions on Hamas to pressure the group to release the bodies of remaining captives in the Strip,” according to Kan 11.
During his appearance on Channel 11, the PM recounted the heated call between him and former US President Joe Biden in May 2024, on the eve of the occupation of Rafah, the city and the crossing, saying, “Nobody supported me in this decision.”
He then spoke about how he convinced Trump to support and engage in his plan to attack Iran.
