Overview
- Benjamin Netanyahu issued a recorded message to conscripts, reservists and their families, voicing gratitude for their sacrifices.
- He said Israel is moving into the "decisive stage" of the Gaza campaign.
- He reaffirmed goals to defeat Hamas and to secure the return of hostages taken on October 7.
- He invoked the October 7 atrocities as justification for continued military action.
- He claimed Israel has weakened an Iranian-linked axis spanning Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iran and the Houthis, while asserting that "what began in Gaza must end in Gaza."