Tonight, in a message to the nation, Netanyahu told Israelis: "From now on - we will act against Hamas with increasing force. From now on - negotiations only under fire!" Here is his video message in English:
"Hamas is responsible for this war.
It invaded our towns, murdered our people, raped our women, and kidnapped our loved ones.
Hamas refused, offer after offer, to release our hostages.
In the past two weeks, Israel did not initiate any military action in the hope that Hamas would change course. Well, that didn't happen.
While Israel accepted the offer of President Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, Hamas flatly refused to do so.
This is why I authorized yesterday the renewal of military action against Hamas.
Israel does not target Palestinian civilians. We target Hamas terrorists.
And when these terrorists embed themselves in civilian areas, when they use civilians as human shields, they're the ones who are responsible for all unintended casualties."