Netanyahu backs military pressure, ethnic cleansing, despite censure

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen English + Israeli media
30 Mar 2025 20:17

Israeli prime minister attempted to justify the aggression on Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen by claiming it was for "Israel's" security despite mounting calls to halt attacks.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during the International Conference on Combating Antisemitism in occupied al-Quds, Palestine, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his government's approach to handling the issue of Israeli captives in Gaza, claiming that "military and political pressure is the only way" to secure their return.

At the start of his cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu stated that "the combination of military and political pressure is the only means to bring the captives back to their families."

He insisted that this strategy has been the most effective despite mounting calls against military pressure, criticizing those who consider themselves experts on the matter.

Netanyahu stated that "Israel" was aiming to implement a plan suggested by US President Donald Trump, which involved displacing Gazans to other nations, in other words, ethnically cleansing Gaza.

The prime minister stated that following the war, "Israel" would guarantee comprehensive security in Gaza and "facilitate the execution of the Trump plan" — which originally proposed the mass displacement of all 2.4 million residents of the Palestinian territory — referring to it as a "voluntary migration plan".

Trump suggested that Gazans be displaced from the area, which would become U.S. territory and undergo redevelopment, denying Palestinians any right of return.

It is worth noting that the families of the captives, as well as former captives, have been consistently demonstrating against the resumption of the war on Gaza, asserting that "military pressure kills hostages," as has been proven before.

40 former Israeli captives in Gaza and 250 relatives of captives held in the Palestinian enclave have signed a letter urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to halt its renewed aggression and resume negotiations with Hamas to secure the release of the remaining 59 captives.

“Military pressure kills hostages and disappears bodies. This is not a slogan, this is reality," it emphasized, recalling that 41 captives were killed in Gaza.

On the war in Gaza

Regarding the ongoing war on Gaza, Netanyahu claimed that "his army is targeting both the military and administrative capabilities of Hamas." He asserted that "these operations aim to create optimal conditions for retrieving the captives and achieving victory over Hamas," referencing a security cabinet meeting held on Saturday.

Netanyahu also dismissed what he called "three false claims," including accusations that his government is not negotiating. He stated that "Israel is negotiating under fire, which makes the talks more effective," and that his government is prepared to discuss the final phase of the crisis with Gaza, rejecting claims that it has refused to do so.

He further alleged, "We are ready to negotiate, but Hamas must lay down its arms and allow its leaders to leave Gaza. We will ensure overall security in the Strip and implement the voluntary migration plan proposed by US President Donald Trump."

Despite ongoing criticism, Netanyahu insisted that he has not ignored the issue of Israeli captives, saying he had met with the captives' families and spoken to four additional families last week. He alleged that "Hamas is spreading propaganda suggesting that the government does not care about the captives' families in an attempt to destabilize Israeli society."

On Lebanon and Yemen

Addressing Hezbollah, Netanyahu said, "In Lebanon, we are enforcing strict measures with no leniency. These are the orders given by myself, the defense minister, and the security cabinet to the army, and they are being carried out in the best possible way." He emphasized that there will be "no concessions, no reduction in deterrence, and no special considerations."

He stressed that "Israel" must ensure that no attacks are launched from Lebanon against it.

Meanwhile, discussing Yemen, Netanyahu praised the US aggression on Sanaa, stating that "our ally Washington is striking forcefully there, and its involvement in the strikes against Yemen is a significant development."

"We always value our alliances. We have an alliance with the greatest power in the world, and it stands behind us in this arena and others without hesitation, with full appreciation from Israel’s citizens and government," he concluded.