Netanyahu Says Israel Is Pursuing October 7 Attackers

Speaking about the war in Gaza, Netanyahu said Israel was “settling accounts” with those responsible for the October 7 attack, referring to Hamas members and others involved in the assault.

He said the Israeli government was continuing to pursue those who remained involved, arguing that the number of people being targeted had already been reduced through Israeli military operations.

Netanyahu’s comments reflect his continued emphasis on holding those responsible for the October 7 attack accountable. The attack killed more than 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in the taking of 251 hostages, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

Israel has continued targeting senior Hamas figures. On September 15, Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces had struck the commander of Hamas’s Rafah Brigade, following the reported killing of the commander of the Khan Yunis Brigade and other senior figures.

Netanyahu Says Hamas Will Be Eliminated

Netanyahu said Israel’s objective remains the elimination of Hamas as a military and governing force in Gaza.

He said that despite the damage inflicted on Hamas, Israel still has additional work to complete.

The Israeli government has repeatedly stated that Hamas should no longer control Gaza. Previous statements from Netanyahu have also called for a demilitarized Gaza without Hamas playing a role in its future governance.

The conflict and Israel’s military campaign have resulted in extensive destruction and a large number of Palestinian deaths. The scale and conduct of Israel’s operations have drawn international criticism, while Israel says its military actions are aimed at Hamas and other armed groups.

Netanyahu Says Iran’s Capabilities Have Been Weakened

Turning to Iran, Netanyahu said that the desire of Iran and its regional allies to destroy Israel had not disappeared but that their ability to carry out such actions had been significantly weakened.

He said Israel had already taken action against the Iranian threat but still had additional objectives to complete.

Netanyahu has previously said that Israeli and U.S. military operations significantly damaged Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, missile capabilities and military leadership. Those statements represent the Israeli government’s assessment of the effects of the military campaign.

In September, Netanyahu again said Israel needed to complete what he described as its mission regarding Iran and called for the fall of the Iranian regime.

Netanyahu Targets Hezbollah

Netanyahu also said Israel would continue confronting Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group based primarily in Lebanon.

Israel has carried out military operations against Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon. On September 10, Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces had destroyed an underground Hezbollah complex in the Ali al-Taher area and established operational control over the location.

Netanyahu said Hezbollah would also face continued Israeli action and described the group as part of the wider threat facing Israel.

On September 14, Netanyahu said Israel would continue destroying what it described as terrorist infrastructure in the security zone in Lebanon.

A Wider Regional Conflict

Netanyahu’s remarks place Gaza, Iran and Hezbollah within a broader Israeli security strategy.

Israel has described Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran as connected elements of a regional threat, while Iran has supported armed groups across the Middle East. A recent UK House of Commons Library briefing said the military capabilities of several Iran-backed groups had been substantially degraded during conflicts involving Israel, while noting that these groups maintain separate networks and sources of support.

Netanyahu said Israel had already significantly weakened these threats but argued that additional military and security operations were necessary.

Key Points

  • Netanyahu said Israel is continuing to pursue people responsible for the October 7 attack.
  • He said Hamas remains a target of Israeli military operations.
  • Netanyahu said Iran’s ability to threaten Israel has been significantly weakened.
  • He said Israel still has additional work to complete regarding Iran.
  • Netanyahu said Israel would continue confronting Hezbollah in Lebanon.
  • Israel has reported recent operations against Hamas and Hezbollah leadership and infrastructure.
  • The Israeli government continues to oppose Hamas maintaining control over Gaza.
  • Netanyahu’s remarks connect the conflicts involving Gaza, Iran and Lebanon to Israel’s broader security strategy.

Source

This article is based on remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu