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Netanyahu calls Hamas ‘a Satan,’ pledges to fight ‘to the end’ in rare presser
By Olivia Land
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a rare press conference from Tel Aviv Saturday night, in which he slammed Hamas as “a Devil, a Satan” and pledged to continue Israel’s ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.
“We remained very firm in negotiations,” Netanyahu said of Israel’s talks with Hamas in Qatar, which dissolved late this week when the two sides could not agree over the order of hostage releases.
[Hamas is] a devil, a Satan,” he continued, pledging that Israeli forces would “do everything to obliterate” the terror group.
“Our troops have been preparing during this cease-fire for absolute victory over Hamas,” Netanyahu said of the week-long cease-fire that saw the release of 110 hostages from the Gaza Strip.
He also confirmed the restart of the IDF’s ground assault on Gaza, where efforts were now turning toward the densely populated southern part of the region.
“Today I ordered the army to resume attacks in intensified way,” the prime minister told the press, adding that they are prepared to "fight to the end."
The rest of the hostages cannot be freed without the ongoing military operation, he insisted.
“This is a war against the terrorists and for our people. We are all uniting behind our cause and we are all supporting our forces…With the help of God, we will all win,” Netanyahu said.
The prime minister, 74, also took questions from reporters, including some about the potential future for the Gaza Strip post-conflict.
“I oppose the introduction of the Palestinian Authority into the Gaza Strip. The IDF will have full control of the area. The Palestinian Authority is educating for the disappearance of the State of Israel. The PA supports terrorism,” he told the room.