Netanyahu says prepare for 'difficult and long' war

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
29 Oct 2023 08:40

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns that the war is still in the beginning, claiming incursions into the Gaza Strip will continue.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference with Security Minister Yoav Gallant and Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz in 'Tel Aviv', Occupied Palestine, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (AP)

The Israeli occupation's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israeli occupation Forces have launched the "second stage" of the war, warning settlers to prepare for long-term hostilities.

"In the initial weeks of the war, we launched massive airstrikes that dealt a severe blow to the enemy… We eliminated many terrorists," the occupation PM said in a public address, adding, "However, we are only at the beginning of the road. The battle within the Gaza Strip will be difficult and long."

Significantly Netanyahu framed the ongoing war for the liberation of occupied Palestine, in the eyes of the Palestinian people, in its proper colonial context saying, "This is our second War of Independence. This is our mission, our purpose in life, and together we will prevail."

Despite the several failed attempts, Netanyahu, on Saturday, said, "Last night, additional ground forces entered Gaza, marking the beginning of the second stage of the war, whose goal is to destroy the military and political capabilities of Hamas and to bring our kidnapped citizens back."

Earlier, the Israeli occupation's Security Minister Yoav Gallant said on Saturday that "Israel" has "moved on to a new phase in the war," and reaffirmed that ground incursion attempts into Gaza will continue "until new orders are given."

Resistance shattered illusion of 'invincible' Israeli army: Abu Obeida

The military spokesperson for Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, declared on Saturday that the era of the collapse of the Israeli occupation entity has begun and the illusion of the "invincible Israeli Army" and the "mighty Merkava tank" was shattered by the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza.

In a televised speech, Abu Obeida said the Israeli aggression and its massacres against civilians in the Strip are clear indicators of the entity's weakening position. He warned the Israeli occupation military that it would be defeated if it launched a ground offensive operation in Gaza.

"We want to convey to our enemy that we are impatiently awaiting the opportunity to introduce [its forces] to new forms of demise."

"We tell the world today that the olive trees in #Gaza were deeply enrooted in this land way before the ancestors of these newcomers from all over the globe were even born."

- Al-Qassam Brigades Spokesperson, Abu Obeida#Palestine #Gaza #GazaUnderAttack https://t.co/q4i9wC1Xnq
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 28, 2023

Furthermore, the spokesperson pointed out an incident that took place during the first phase of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, revealing how Resistance fighters were able to inflict heavy damage on an Israeli force in a faceoff confrontation forcing it to retreat.

Regarding a possible exchange deal, Abu Obeida disclosed that the Israeli occupation entity has delayed negotiations regarding the release of Palestinian detainees, noting that over 50 captives have been killed so far due to Israeli strikes.

Announcing terms of a possible agreement, Abu Obeida said the Resistance is willing to hand over all captives it is holding, but in exchange for the immediate release of all Palestinians in Israeli occupation prisons. He also declared that the Resistance is ready to carry out the agreement in one go, or in several stages.