Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday marked the second anniversary of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks with a defiant vow to secure the eternity of Israel, calling the ongoing conflict “a decisive war for our very existence and our future.”
In a statement, Netanyahu recalled the “horrific slaughter” of Israeli civilians during the October 7 assault, which killed over 1,200 people and led to the abduction of 251 others into Gaza. “Infants, children, and the elderly were brutally and horrifically murdered by Hamas terrorists,” he said. “We embrace the bereaved families with love and act in every possible way to bring back all the hostages, the living and the fallen alike.”
The prime minister described the ongoing campaign as the War of Uprising on seven fronts, a phrase that appeared to reference simultaneous threats Israel faces — from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, Yemen, Iraq, and Iran. “Our bloodthirsty enemies hit us hard, but they did not break us,” Netanyahu said. “They quickly discovered the enormous power of the people of Israel.”
Netanyahu claimed that Israeli forces were delivering powerful blows to its enemies on every front. “Whoever raises a hand against us suffers unprecedented crushing strikes,” he said, pledging to continue operations until Israel’s objectives are achieved — the return of all hostages, the elimination of Hamas’s rule in Gaza, and an assurance that the enclave will no longer pose a threat to Israel.
The Israeli leader also cast the conflict in broader regional terms, declaring that Israel had broken the Iranian axis and changed the face of the Middle East. He urged national unity during what he called fateful days of decision, saying that alongside grief, Israelis should take pride in their resilience.
“Together we will stand,” Netanyahu said, concluding his remark. “And together, with God’s help, we will prevail.”
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that US negotiators were also involved in the talks.
“There’s a real chance that we could do something,” he said. “I think there’s a possibility that we could have peace in the Middle East.”
Hamas’ top negotiator Khalil al-Hayya said that his group “wants guarantees from US President Donald Trump and the sponsor countries that the war will end once and for all.” Senior Hamas official Fawzi Barhoum called the October 7 attack a “historic response” to Israel’s bid to “eradicate the Palestinian cause.” He also said Hamas was working to “surmount all obstacles” to sealing a deal in Egypt.
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