Netanyahu Rejects Criticism of War Strategy, Warns Against Hamas Demands

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participated in a strategic multi-front situation assessment at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv with senior IDF commanders. During the closed-door discussion, Netanyahu openly criticized security officials and opposition figures who had supported Hamas's demands during the prolonged conflict. He rejected the notion that Israel had to accept Hamas's terms to secure the release of all hostages, calling such a concession a "terrible defeat." Netanyahu emphasized that conceding to Hamas's conditions, such as withdrawing from Gaza, would have allowed militant leaders like Sinwar, Nasrallah, Haniyeh, Khamenei, and Assad to strengthen their positions with full military capabilities, which he described as a potential disaster.

Netanyahu stated that the only viable approach was a combination of strong military pressure and diplomatic efforts, including support from the United States, to secure the hostages' release. He acknowledged the difficulty of this strategy but insisted it ultimately succeeded in rescuing all hostages without compromising Israel's security. Netanyahu's remarks aimed to counter criticism of the war's management and the hostage release process, underscoring his belief that yielding to Hamas's demands would have led to a strategic loss rather than a victory.