Israeli PM Issues Stern Warning To Hamas: ‘They Started It, We Will Finish It’

In a stern message to Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that although Israel did not initiate the conflict, they are determined to conclude it. Israel has mobilized an impressive 300,000 troops in response to Hamas’s actions, marking the largest mobilization since the 1973 Yom Kippur War when 400,000 reservists were called up, as reported by the Times of Israel.

In an address to the nation, Netanyahu stated, “Israel is at war. We didn’t want this war. It was forced upon us in the most brutal and savage way. But though Israel didn’t start this war, Israel will finish it.” This conflict has resulted in around 2,300 Israelis sustaining injuries, with more than 700 fatalities from the unexpected Hamas attack on Saturday morning.

Netanyahu strongly condemned Hamas, emphasizing that they would pay a substantial price for their actions. He stated, “Hamas will understand that by attacking us, they have made a mistake of historic proportions. We will exact a price that will be remembered by them and Israel’s other enemies for decades to come.”

He highlighted the horrifying acts committed by Hamas, including the killing of innocent civilians and the kidnapping of women, children, and the elderly, even Holocaust survivors. Netanyahu referred to Hamas as being equivalent to ISIS and called on the “forces of civilization” to unite against Hamas and defeat it.

Netanyahu expressed gratitude to US President Joe Biden and other world leaders for their support, emphasizing the commitment of the US to Israel’s security. He underscored that Israel’s fight against Hamas was not only for its citizens but for all countries opposing barbarism, stating, “Israel will win this war, and when Israel wins, the entire civilized world will win.”

The Israeli military has launched an offensive against Hamas with an unprecedented force, as tensions continue to escalate.

Hamas has threatened to execute civilian hostages and broadcast the killings if Israel targets people in Gaza, claiming to be holding more than 100 hostages, including Israeli army officers.