Netanyahu grilled over ‘step away from victory’ remark
Israel was not actually a “step away” from victory over Hamas more than five months ago, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has acknowledged. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has explained his earlier statements made prior to the Rafah offensive in April, in which he described Israel as being a "step away from victory" in the conflict in Gaza.
More than five months into the ongoing war, Netanyahu addressed his previous comments during a press conference with international journalists on Wednesday. He clarified that the April offensive was intended to "pave the way" for victory, rather than securing it outright.
“What I meant to say [then] was that we were a step away from the critical thing that will pave our way to victory,” Netanyahu explained.
He also discussed the pressures faced in making strategic decisions, stating, “I didn’t think that we could have this victory if we didn’t go into Rafah, and I withstood quite a bit of international pressure and American pressure to go into Rafah and to Philadelphi [Corridor],” referring to a key area along Gaza's border with Egypt.
Currently, Netanyahu believes that the Israeli military is in a strong position to defeat Hamas due to the operations in Rafah, though he acknowledged that the challenge of dismantling the group's governance capabilities remains. “I don’t want to administer Gaza, but I want to take this away from Hamas,” he affirmed.
Amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations, Netanyahu has maintained a firm stance against withdrawing Israeli forces from the Philadelphi Corridor, a position he argues is crucial for Israel's security. “They say, ‘If you stay, this will kill the deal.’ And I say, such a deal will kill us,” he claimed.
Negotiations for peace have been rocky, with a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate and complete ceasefire and the release of hostages failing to bridge the divides, as talks falter due to what both sides perceive as unrealistic demands from the other.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
More than five months into the ongoing war, Netanyahu addressed his previous comments during a press conference with international journalists on Wednesday. He clarified that the April offensive was intended to "pave the way" for victory, rather than securing it outright.
“What I meant to say [then] was that we were a step away from the critical thing that will pave our way to victory,” Netanyahu explained.
He also discussed the pressures faced in making strategic decisions, stating, “I didn’t think that we could have this victory if we didn’t go into Rafah, and I withstood quite a bit of international pressure and American pressure to go into Rafah and to Philadelphi [Corridor],” referring to a key area along Gaza's border with Egypt.
Currently, Netanyahu believes that the Israeli military is in a strong position to defeat Hamas due to the operations in Rafah, though he acknowledged that the challenge of dismantling the group's governance capabilities remains. “I don’t want to administer Gaza, but I want to take this away from Hamas,” he affirmed.
Amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations, Netanyahu has maintained a firm stance against withdrawing Israeli forces from the Philadelphi Corridor, a position he argues is crucial for Israel's security. “They say, ‘If you stay, this will kill the deal.’ And I say, such a deal will kill us,” he claimed.
Negotiations for peace have been rocky, with a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate and complete ceasefire and the release of hostages failing to bridge the divides, as talks falter due to what both sides perceive as unrealistic demands from the other.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
