Netanyahu: Gaza operation not yet over

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the military operation in the Gaza Strip is not yet over and that serious challenges remain ahead. He made the remarks in a televised address on Friday after the announcement of a ceasefire, Ynet reported.

“The operation is not yet over. Serious challenges still lie ahead. Together we will overcome these difficulties, seize new opportunities and expand the zone of peace,” Netanyahu stressed.

He noted that the agreement with Hamas on the release of hostages became possible only after applying military and diplomatic pressure.

“I was convinced that if we applied decisive military and diplomatic pressure, we would be able to bring all the hostages home — and we did it. It was not easy: I felt enormous pressure both domestically and internationally,” Netanyahu said.

According to him, the deal could not have been reached earlier because “Hamas only accepted the agreement when it was cornered and completely isolated.”

The Israeli leader expressed confidence that Gaza will be demilitarized in the future:

“Hamas will be disarmed, and Gaza will be demilitarized — ideally through agreement, but if not, by force,” Netanyahu emphasized.