Netanyahu defends his leadership, claiming he defied military doubts and forced Hamas into hostage negotiations
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired back at his critics, declaring that he alone defied military pessimism and forced Hamas to surrender hostages. Addressing the Knesset on Monday, Netanyahu dismissed opposition calls for a no-confidence vote, instead championing his success in securing hostage releases and endorsing Donald Trump’s post-war vision for Gaza.
“You’ve always asked, ‘What about the day after?’” Netanyahu told lawmakers. “Well, now you have it. But not your failed Oslo model—this is something new. Trump’s vision ensures that Gaza will never again rise as a terror state.”
The Israeli opposition has insisted that only the Palestinian Authority (PA) can govern Gaza post-war, but Netanyahu rejected that outright. “You want to bring back the PA, which pays terrorists and teaches children to hate? I came back from the U.S. with a different vision—one without Hamas and without the PA.”
Embed from Getty Images‘They Said the Hostages Couldn’t Be Saved—I Proved Them Wrong’
Netanyahu revealed shocking details about the war’s early days, claiming that senior defence officials doubted the hostages could ever be retrieved.
“From day one, I was told by top figures in the defence establishment that rescuing hostages was impossible,” he said. “But I refused to accept that. I fought for this, and I am still fighting today.”
He accused Hamas of blocking negotiations for half a year, stating that only Israel’s relentless military action in Rafah forced them to the table. “Until we moved into Rafah and Hamas realised no help was coming, they refused to negotiate. They cracked because of our determination. They surrendered to the deal I proposed.”
Dismissing accusations that he delayed hostage releases, Netanyahu called the claims a “terrible lie”. He asserted that “senior officials from the previous U.S. administration, who aren’t exactly my allies, confirmed that Hamas was the only obstacle to a deal.”
A War of Narratives
As Netanyahu faces fierce pushback from opposition figures who believe his hardline stance could destabilise Gaza further, he remains unapologetic. “Some wanted to accept Hamas’s terms and release only 12 or 14 hostages. I demanded we maximise the number. And I will continue to insist.”
With Trump’s backing and a hardline stance against both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, Netanyahu has made it clear he is shaping Gaza’s future on his terms—but his opponents warn that his vision could fuel further conflict.
As pressure builds inside Israel, one question lingers: Has Netanyahu truly secured victory, or is the next crisis already brewing?
