Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel maintained a defiant stance while commemorating 100 days of war against Hamas in Gaza, declaring that he would continue fighting despite growing uncertainty about the outcome, international concern over the increasing death toll in Gaza, and fears of a wider regional conflict.
His promise to fight for “total victory” came as Israel awaited a decision from the world’s top court on whether it would order an injunction against its military’s devastating offensive in Gaza. Initially launched in response to the deadly Hamas-led Oct. 7 assault, the offensive has resulted in the deaths of over 23,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to Gaza health officials, and has led to the displacement of the majority of the enclave’s population.
Warning of a protracted conflict, recent remarks by Mr. Netanyahu and statements from the Israeli military have revealed a growing disconnect between domestic perceptions of the timing and goals of the war and mounting international impatience in the wake of a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Although the United States, Israel’s most crucial ally, has encouraged Israel to scale down its campaign, numerous other countries have called for an immediate cease-fire.
“We are continuing the war until the end — until total victory, until we achieve all of our goals,” declared Mr. Netanyahu in a televised news conference on Saturday night, asserting that “eliminating Hamas, returning all of our hostages, and ensuring that Gaza will never again pose a threat to Israel” were the goals.
“Nobody will stop us — not The Hague, not the axis of evil, and not anybody else,” he added. Mr. Netanyahu also invoked Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, while addressing the continuation of the war.
The United States conducted airstrikes on sites in Yemen controlled by the Houthi militia, in response to more than two dozen Houthi attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea since November. Meanwhile, clashes across the Israel-Lebanon border continued over the weekend.
Rajab al-Sindawi, a 48-year-old man from Gaza City, described how he and his family were struggling in the aftermath of being displaced, lacking basic necessities, and moving from one place to another in search of safety.
Mr. Netanyahu acknowledged that the war “will yet take many months,” but his remarks the previous night appeared to be as focused on raising domestic morale as on countering criticism of the military campaign.
Despite the widespread death and destruction in Gaza, Israel’s leaders have continued to speak about what comes next mainly in opaque military terms that have at times heightened friction with its critics and allies alike.
Despite the toll on Gaza’s population, an analyst close to Hamas insisted that the armed group was winning the war and that “anyone in the world who wants to free their country must make a sacrifice.”
More than 130 of the 240 people abducted from Israel and taken to Gaza in October remain in the enclave, according to Israeli officials, although not all are believed to be alive. In response, a 100-minute work stoppage in solidarity with the hostages was observed by universities, many businesses, local councils, and public bodies in Israel.
Large pro-Palestinian demonstrations took place in various cities, including London and Washington, to mark the 100 days of war.
Reporting was contributed by Hwaida Saad, Ameera Harouda, Roni Caryn Rabin, Gabby Sobelman, Myra Noveck, and Matthew Mpoke Bigg from Jerusalem. Reported by Isabel Kershner and Adam Rasgon.
