Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s military resolve on Monday, declaring that the IDF will advance into Gaza City as part of the ongoing campaign to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of hostages still held in the coastal enclave.
In a high-level meeting at his Jerusalem office with US Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Netanyahu described the decision of the Israeli Security Cabinet to press into Gaza City as “unequivocal.” According to the official readout, he emphasized that Israel “will act with determination and strength in order to return all our hostages and defeat Hamas,” stressing that the two objectives are “intertwined.”
The meeting underscores the continued alignment between Israel and pro-Israel voices in the US Congress, particularly as bipartisan support remains vital in the face of growing international pressure. Ernst, a vocal ally of Israel on Capitol Hill, received Netanyahu’s gratitude not only for her ongoing support but also for standing with Israel during a previous visit to Jerusalem in April, where she was joined by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.). At that time, Netanyahu commended both lawmakers for their “personal and bipartisan support for the State of Israel throughout the war.”
The latest Security Cabinet move marks a critical phase in Israel’s military strategy following months of operations across the Gaza Strip. By moving decisively into Gaza City, Israel is signaling its intent to confront the remaining strongholds of Hamas leadership, which continue to operate beneath civilian infrastructure in densely populated areas.
With Israeli hostages still held captive since the October 7 massacre and Hamas refusing to release them without preconditions, the message from Netanyahu is clear: the military pressure will not subside.
“We are going into Gaza City,” he said. The words are not mere rhetoric—they are a declaration of intent backed by military momentum and strategic clarity.
As Israel faces mounting diplomatic headwinds, Monday’s meeting serves as a reminder that congressional allies continue to play a crucial role in supporting the Jewish state’s right to self-defense and the pursuit of justice for the victims of terror.
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