‘No Hamas rule in Gaza’: Netanyahu vows to finish Israel’s ‘missions’ in October 7 memorial speech

Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Hamas will not be allowed to rule Gaza, as Israel marked three years since the October 7, 2023 attack with a national memorial ceremony in Jerusalem. Netanyahu said Israel had achieved “enormous accomplishments” but still had missions to complete, signalling that military operations against Hamas would continue.

Speaking at a state ceremony at the Mount Herzl military cemetery on Monday, Netanyahu said Israel would continue targeting those involved in the October 7 attack and those responsible for holding hostages.

“There will be no Hamas rule in Gaza,” Netanyahu said.

His remarks came as Israel observed a national day of remembrance for the deadliest attack in the country's history, while fighting and tensions continue despite a ceasefire.

Netanyahu's warning to Hamas

Netanyahu said Israel had made significant gains but still faced major challenges.

“We have achieved enormous accomplishments, but there are still missions ahead of us, and we intend to complete them,” he said.

The Israeli Prime Minister also vowed that anyone involved in the October 7 attack or the holding of hostages would remain a target.

The Hamas-led attack killed 1,221 people, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Militants also took 251 hostages into Gaza, with 44 of them reported to have died.
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IDF says Hamas commanders eliminated in Gaza

Netanyahu's comments came as the Israel Defense Forces said it had eliminated several Hamas operatives in separate strikes in the Khan Younis area of Gaza.

The IDF said Muad Gamal Abu Nuseira, described as a commander in Hamas' military wing, was killed in a strike on Sunday.

It also said Mahmoud Ibrahim Dib Alyan, whom it described as a member of Hamas' observation unit, was killed in another strike. According to the IDF, Alyan had been involved in activities against Israeli troops near the Yellow Line and was allegedly helping Hamas restore its capabilities in violation of the ceasefire agreement.

The IDF said it used precise munitions and aerial surveillance in the strikes to reduce the risk to civilians.

The Israeli military also said it had eliminated Saqr Nabil Musa Qaisi, whom it identified as a Nukhba operative who had allegedly infiltrated Israel during the October 7 attack.

Israel says Hamas capabilities remain a target

The IDF alleged that Qaisi was also associated with the Turkish organisation Deniz Feneri, which presents itself as a humanitarian aid organisation. Israel claimed that he used his position to support Hamas operatives financially and assist the group's activities.

The IDF said disrupting Hamas' military and financial capabilities remained a priority, accusing the group of attempting to rebuild its infrastructure despite the ceasefire.Israeli troops under Southern Command remain deployed in Gaza, according to the military, which said they would continue to act against what it described as immediate threats.
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Gaza death toll crosses 74,000

Israel launched a massive military offensive in Gaza following the October 7 attack. More than 74,200 people have been killed in the territory, according to Gaza's health ministry, which operates under Hamas authority. The figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.

The ministry says more than 1,440 people have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire was declared last October.

Despite the ceasefire, questions over Hamas' future role in Gaza and the territory's post-war administration remain unresolved.

Netanyahu also warns Iran and Hezbollah

Netanyahu used the memorial ceremony to issue warnings beyond Gaza, saying Israel would continue confronting threats from Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran.

He said Israel would keep striking Hezbollah in order to “create an opportunity for peace with a country whose people, for the most part, want peace with us”.

Turning to Iran, Netanyahu said Israel would not allow the country's clerical leadership to threaten Israel's existence.

“We will not allow the ayatollah regime in Tehran to threaten our existence,” he said, while claiming that Iran's leadership was “weaker than it has been since its establishment”.