Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has admitted that his country has paid a “very high price” in its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu, 74, said today that since Israel began its retaliatory offensive against the enclave following Hamas' surprise raid on October 7, 153 IDF soldiers had been killed, including 14 since Friday.
He said that although Saturday the 23rd was one of the worst days for the IDF in terms of fatalities, his troops have “no choice” but to keep fighting.
He said: 'This is a difficult morning, after a very difficult day of fighting in Gaza.'
But he added that the IDF would continue with its goal of eradicating Hamas with “full force until the end,” although he admitted that this could take a long time.
Netanyahu (pictured) said today that since Israel began its retaliatory offensive against the enclave following Hamas' surprise raid on October 7, 153 IDF soldiers had been killed, including 14 since Friday.
More than 20,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed since Israel began its retaliatory attack on the Gaza Strip
He said that although Saturday 23 was one of the IDF's worst days in terms of fatalities, his troops have “no choice” but to keep fighting.
“Let's be clear: this will be a long war,” he said.
166 people have been killed in Gaza in the past day, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said.
Since Israel began its retaliatory attack on the Gaza Strip, more than 20,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed, while another 50,000 have been injured.
Israel began its attacks against the Gaza Strip after Hamas terrorists killed 1,200 Israelis and took 240 hostage on Black Saturday.
While Western allies have urged Israel to reduce the number of civilians it kills, they blame Hamas for hiding out in densely populated urban areas.
Israel began its attacks against the Gaza Strip after Hamas terrorists killed 1,200 Israelis and took 240 hostage on Black Saturday.
While Western allies have urged Israel to reduce the number of civilians it kills, they blame Hamas for hiding in densely populated urban areas.
US President Joe Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, calling it a long and private conversation, a day after the Biden administration again protected Israel in the diplomatic arena.
On Friday, the UN Security Council adopted a watered-down resolution calling for an immediate acceleration of aid deliveries to desperate civilians in Gaza, but not a ceasefire.
US President Joe Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, calling it a long and private conversation, a day after the Biden administration again protected Israel in the diplomatic arena.
On Friday, the UN Security Council adopted a watered-down resolution calling for an immediate acceleration of aid deliveries to desperate civilians in Gaza, but not a ceasefire.
“I didn't ask for a ceasefire,” Biden said of the call. Netanyahu's office said the prime minister “made it clear that Israel would continue the war until all its goals were achieved.”
Also Saturday, the Israeli military said troops had arrested hundreds of suspected militants in Gaza over the past week and transferred more than 200 to Israel for further questioning, providing rare details about a controversial policy of mass roundups of Palestinian men.
The military said more than 700 people with alleged links to militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad have been sent to Israeli detention so far.