Jobaaj Stories
Netanyahu Defends Israel’s War Strategy as Gaza Conflict Enters 18th Month
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently laid out what he described as key achievements in the ongoing war against Hamas, as the Gaza conflict reached its 18-month mark. In a detailed social media post, Netanyahu addressed growing criticism by pointing to military progress—including hostage returns, a dramatic drop in rocket attacks, and the targeting of top Hamas leaders.
Hostage Situation Update
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel has successfully brought back nearly 80% of the hostages taken by Hamas during the October 2023 attacks. Despite this, 24 people are still being held in Gaza, and the bodies of 35 confirmed dead remain unrecovered. He claimed that efforts are ongoing to bring the remaining hostages home.
Major Decline in Rocket Attacks
The Prime Minister also said that rocket fire from Gaza has decreased by more than 99% since the early stages of the war. This, he argued, reflects Hamas’s weakened ability to strike inside Israel and is one of the clearest signs of Israel's military success so far.
Targeting Hamas Leadership
According to Netanyahu, the Israeli military has eliminated several top leaders of Hamas, including Mohammed Deif, one of the masterminds behind the October 7 attacks. He said this has disrupted Hamas's command structure and weakened its operational capabilities.
Territorial and Strategic Gains
Netanyahu went further to claim that Israeli forces now control Mount Hermon and areas in southern Syria. He also stated that Israeli strikes have killed thousands of Hezbollah fighters and significantly damaged the group’s weapon stockpiles and infrastructure, dealing a blow to Iran-backed militant networks in the region.
Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
While Netanyahu's comments focused on military success, global concern continues to grow over the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, many of them women and children. The region is facing extreme shortages of food, water, and medical supplies, and nearly 90% of the population has been displaced, according to United Nations reports.
Stalled Ceasefire Talks
Efforts to reach a ceasefire have reached a deadlock. Hamas recently rejected Israel's latest proposal, demanding a complete end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as part of any deal to release the remaining hostages.
U.S. Response and International Implications
The United States is closely following developments, especially due to the involvement of American-Israeli citizens among the remaining hostages. U.S. officials are also concerned about the war's broader impact on regional stability, including tensions with Iran and rising hostility along Israel's border with Lebanon.
The conflict continues to influence U.S. foreign policy decisions, particularly in terms of military aid, diplomacy, and balancing humanitarian concerns with regional security goals.
