Netanyahu pledges relentless pursuit of Hamas fighters and hostages

During a state‑run remembrance ceremony at Mount Herzl, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel will not cease its hunt for the Hamas militants who carried out the Oct. 7 raid and for those who continue to hold Israeli citizens captive. He underscored that the Israeli Defence Forces have been ordered to eliminate every participant, regardless of rank.

Netanyahu also reaffirmed his commitment to end Hamas’ rule in the Gaza Strip, a stance he previously defended at the United Nations General Assembly, where he dismissed accusations of genocide as “the biggest lie of the century.” The prime minister framed the conflict as a multi‑front war involving Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, Iran, Iraq, Syria and armed groups in the West Bank.