Amid mounting losses, Netanyahu admits 'difficult, long war'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
1 Nov 2023 13:10

Israeli occupation's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the war on Gaza will be long and difficult.

Israeli army artillery howitzers stationed in southern "Israel" on November 1, 2023 (AFP)

Following the announcement that 13 Israeli soldiers had been killed in combat in Gaza on Tuesday, Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement that seemed like a morale-boosting or damage-control message, lacking significant revelations or substance, especially in light of the criticism about his absence from the families of captives.

“We are in a difficult war. It will be a long war. We have important achievements in it, but also painful losses,” he said.

“I promise you citizens of Israel: we will complete the job. We will continue until victory,” he further claimed.

This comes shortly after Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant admitted on Tuesday that "Israel" paid "heavy prices" on the last day, as the Israeli occupation military pursues an invasion of the Gaza Strip with confrontations concentrated across the northern and northeastern parts of the Strip.

It is worth noting that the Israeli occupation forces' spokesperson announced, on Monday, that 326 IOF soldiers were killed and that 240 are held captive by the Palestinian Resistance within the Gaza Strip.

Moreover, the spokesperson explained that while the IOF "expanded the ground operation in Gaza," it remained a complex endeavor.

The Palestinian Resistance demonstrates remarkable resilience, courage, and valor, while "Israel" commits a genocide that has so far claimed the lives of more than 8,500 Palestinians, including 3,542 children. Survivors are stranded, unable to secure a safe refuge, and face deprivation of necessities like food, water, medicine, and fuel due to the complete Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, Palestinians are being tortured, detained, killed, or forcibly displaced from their homes and more Palestinian land is being usurped.