Addressing the Knesset on Monday, October 16, 2023, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu disclosed that there would be an investigation into the intelligence and security failures that allowed Hamas militants to mount an unprecedented attack against Israel on Saturday, October 7, 2023.
Netanyahu said, “There are many questions surrounding the disaster that befell us 10 days ago. We will investigate every aspect thoroughly.”
He stated that Israel is united “towards one goal, victory.”
“We will triumph because it’s about our very existence in this region, which is fraught with dark forces,” he added.
Netanyahu averred that Hamas is part of the evil axis of Iran and Hezbollah, adding, “They aim to plunge the Middle East into an abyss of chaos.”
“Now, many around the world understand who Israel is facing. They comprehend that Hamas represents a new version of Nazism. Just as the world united to defeat the Nazis and ISIS, so it must unite to defeat Hamas
“We are committed to all the families. We will not relent in our efforts to bring our brothers and sisters back.”
Benjamin Netanyahu
“This war is also your war,” the Israeli Prime Minister said.
“We are carrying out all the preparations for the war in the south and across the country,” he said, adding that Israel would allow aid to reach Gaza, but without providing a timeline as to when that would take place.
Also, the Israeli Prime Minister warned Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah to not test Israel’s will.
“Do not make the same mistakes, simply for the reason that the price you will pay this time will be much higher,” he said.
The Knesset session was interrupted after the sounding of the sirens in Jerusalem, forcing officials including Prime Minister Netanyahu to go to fortified rooms.
Hamas’ armed wing stated that it fired rockets towards Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
In a statement, the Qassam Brigades saidthat the attack was in response to Israeli forces “targeting civilians.”
The session resumed after a 40-minute break.
Israeli President Warns Against Division
Before Netanyahu spoke, the Knesset was addressed by Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog.
In his speech, he cautioned against division in Israeli society.
Herzog said that many in the Israeli public are experiencing a crisis of trust.
“The state and its institutions must align themselves with the standards set by the people,” he noted.
“The people demand responsibility and the restoration of trust and rehabilitation of affected communities. They demand to be heard; they demand a helping hand,” Herzog added.
“Even in the midst of the ongoing conflict, with our fallen soldiers not yet laid to rest … dangerous voices [are] attempting to sow seeds of division and hatred. Our adversaries eagerly seek any hint of division among us.”
Isaac Herzog
The ongoing war has resulted in the deaths of at least 1,400 Israelis.
At least 2,808 Palestinians have been killed and 10,859 wounded in the Gaza Strip in Israeli bombardment, the health ministry said.
According to the media government office in Gaza, 254 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours.
About 64 percent of all those killed are women and children where as 37 medical staff, including doctors, nurses and paramedics, were killed.
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate disclosed that eleven Palestinian journalists have been killed by the Israeli military and more than 20 others have been injured since October 7, 2023.
In a statement, the syndicate said that two journalists are still missing; Nidal al-Wahidi, who works as a producer with al-Najah TV, and Haitham Abdel Wahed from the Ain Media Media Agency.
The syndicate said that approximately 50 offices of media organisations have been damaged or destroyed in Israeli air strikes.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, an Israeli and a Lebanese journalist were also killed in two separate incidents.
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