Netanyahu Declares: “This is Just the Beginning”—Israel Resumes Combat Against Hamas & Islamic Jihad in Gaza

Netanyahu Declares: “This is Just the Beginning”—Israel Resumes Combat Against Hamas & Islamic Jihad in Gaza

By: Fern Sidman

In a forceful and resolute national address delivered Tuesday evening from the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the official resumption of combat operations against Hamas and Islamic Jihad following a surprise series of Israel Air Force (IAF) strikes launched earlier in the day on terrorist infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, according to a report on the Israel National News web site. The renewed military campaign marks a significant shift in strategy, ending the temporary ceasefire that had previously governed the conflict zone.

Citing security and defense assessments, Netanyahu declared unequivocally, “We returned to fighting with strength, on the recommendation of security officials.” He emphasized that the renewed offensive was not an isolated event but rather the opening phase of an extended and determined campaign. “This is just the beginning,” the Prime Minister stated, as noted in the Israel National News report. “We will continue to fight to achieve the goals of the war and the promise that Gaza will not pose a threat to Israel.”

According to Israel National News, Netanyahu made it clear that any future diplomatic initiatives would now be conducted concurrently with ongoing military pressure. “From now on, negotiations will only take place under fire,” he declared.

Netanyahu used his address to provide detailed context for the Israeli government’s decision to resume combat operations. As reported by Israel National News, he made it a point of saying that Israel had shown considerable restraint in previous weeks in an effort to facilitate hostage releases and promote a viable ceasefire framework.

“We extended the ceasefire in the weeks in which we did not receive any hostages, we sent delegations to Doha, we accepted the proposal of US envoy Witkoff,” Netanyahu recounted. “But on the other hand, Hamas rejected every proposal.” He stated that the return to combat was the direct result of Hamas’s refusal to engage constructively, affirming, “I accepted the recommendation of the IDF and the security establishment to return to fighting.”

In response to growing international concern over civilian casualties in Gaza, Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s longstanding position that it targets only terrorist operatives—not the civilian population. As quoted in the Israel National News report, he said, “Israel does not target Palestinian civilians. We target Hamas terrorists.”

He emphasized the tragic consequences of Hamas’s entrenched strategy of operating from within civilian areas: “When these terrorists embed themselves in civilian areas, when they use civilians as human shields, they are the ones who are responsible for all unintended casualties.” Netanyahu called upon Gaza’s residents to actively distance themselves from Hamas positions. “Palestinian civilians should avoid any contact with Hamas terrorists, and I call on the people of Gaza, get out of harm’s way. Move to safer areas. Because every civilian casualty is a tragedy and every civilian casualty is the fault of Hamas.”

In a notable diplomatic gesture during his speech, Netanyahu thanked President Trump, stating, “I thank President Trump for his unwavering support for Israel. Our alliance with the United States has never been stronger.” As reported by Israel National News, the Prime Minister framed Israel’s actions not only as a national imperative but as a universal moral duty shared by all freedom-loving nations.

“To those who criticize Israel, I ask, what would you do if terrorists murdered and kidnapped your children? You would do what we are doing,” Netanyahu asserted. “In the face of pure evil, free societies have no choice but to fight.”

Netanyahu concluded his address with a steadfast pledge to the Israeli people and allies abroad: “I want to assure all our friends around the world, Israel will fight and Israel will win. We will bring our people home and we will destroy Hamas.”

As Israel National News reported, the Prime Minister’s remarks conveyed a message of perseverance and hope, declaring that Israel would not halt operations until every strategic objective was fulfilled. “We will not relent until we achieve all these vital goals and we will not rest until we give our country a future of peace, prosperity and hope.”

This latest speech marks a critical inflection point in the ongoing conflict, signaling not only a shift in military posture but also a recalibration of Israel’s diplomatic strategy vis-à-vis Hamas and other regional actors.