Netanyahu: "Preparing for ground invasion... Israeli citizens must take up arms"

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, stated on the 25th (local time) that "we are preparing for a ground invasion," according to Israeli local media outlets such as the daily Times of Israel (TOI) and Haaretz.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

In a TV address that day, Prime Minister Netanyahu said regarding the prospect of deploying ground troops to the Palestinian Gaza Strip, "I cannot disclose specific details, but the timing will be decided by unanimous agreement of the wartime cabinet." He also repeatedly warned, "Civilians in the Gaza Strip should move south."

This statement came shortly after the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Israel had decided to delay the deployment of ground troops at the request of the United States. The international community, including the U.S., has been urging Israel against deploying ground forces, warning that civilian casualties would increase if Israel moves to eliminate the Palestinian armed faction Hamas with ground troops.

Netanyahu said, "Whether they are above ground, underground, inside or outside Gaza, every Hamas operative is already a dead person," adding, "Israel has killed thousands of terrorists, and this is just the beginning." He urged, "We call on Israeli citizens to take up arms." He also stated, "We will exact a price from these murderers, perpetrators of atrocities, the 'Daeshi' (Islamic State, IS) Hamas."

Regarding the responsibility for the 'intelligence failure' in not predicting Hamas's surprise attack on Israel on the 7th, Netanyahu spoke out for the first time. He said, "The 7th was a dark day in our history," and emphasized, "We will thoroughly investigate what happened at the southern border and in Gaza, and fully uncover this tragedy."

However, he added, "Everyone, including myself, must provide answers to this tragedy," but "all of this will proceed after the war ends." He raised his voice, saying, "As Prime Minister, I have the responsibility to protect the future of the nation," and "My duty now is to crush the enemies and lead the State of Israel and its people to victory."

Netanyahu also added that he will make every effort to safely release all hostages abducted by Hamas and will declare a national mourning period to ensure the country does not forget Hamas's surprise attack on Israel.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.