Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu issued a forceful rejection of accusations that Israel is committing genocide or deliberately starving civilians in Gaza during an interview with Sky News Australia. He sharply criticized the Albanese government and certain media outlets, calling their claims “medieval blood libels.”
“It’s the same lies,” he declared. “Israel is starving Palestinian children? What lies. We’ve brought in 2 million tons of food since the start of the war — that’s a ton per person.”
Netanyahu placed responsibility on Hamas for the humanitarian crisis, asserting that the group hijacks aid shipments and sells the supplies to Gaza residents at exorbitant rates. He defended the IDF’s conduct, stressing that the army goes to “unprecedented lengths” to limit civilian casualties, pointing to millions of evacuation alerts sent by text messages and phone calls.
“No army has done what Israel has done,” he said, drawing a comparison to the Allies during World War II. “We try to shepherd people to safe places. Hamas shoots them if they try to leave.”
The Prime Minister warned that if Western leaders fail to push back against anti-Israel narratives, they risk fueling extremism in their own countries.
“If you don’t take a stand, the crocodile will get you in the end,” he said.
Netanyahu also voiced frustration over Australia’s recent voting record at the United Nations, describing the government’s stance as “dismaying” and accusing Canberra of rewarding terrorism by supporting Palestinian statehood initiatives.
“We’re not going to commit suicide by putting another Palestinian state next to Tel Aviv,” he said. “We already had one in Gaza. They turned it into a network of terror tunnels.”
In contrast, he praised President Donald Trump for his unwavering support of Israel, crediting him with helping broker the Abraham Accords and strengthening regional alliances.
Despite the ongoing war, Netanyahu reiterated his broader vision of “peace through strength,” underscoring his goal of dismantling Hamas while ultimately improving life for civilians in Gaza.
“Our goal is not to occupy Gaza — it’s to free it,” he said. “Free Gazans from Hamas tyranny. Free Israel from Hamas terror. We can’t leave them there – that would be like leaving the SS in Germany.”
When asked about reports indicating that Hamas may be nearing a ceasefire deal, Netanyahu was unequivocal: any agreement must include the complete disarmament of the terror group and the release of all hostages — about 50 in total, with at least 20 believed to be alive.
“This war could end today if Hamas lays down its arms,” he said.
He further claimed there has been a shift within Gaza itself, saying that some residents have begun resisting Hamas and calling for their liberation.
Netanyahu closed the interview by appealing for a renewal of the close ties that once defined the Israel-Australia relationship, urging Canberra to rediscover its historic alignment with Israel.
“We had a great relationship. I think it’s gone astray because leaders failed to show strength and conviction,” he said. “But we will win this war, and once we do, I believe Australians will understand.”
{Matzav.com}
On the night of October 7, a soldier stationed at the Gaza Division’s intelligence headquarters detected troubling signs within the incoming data.
In a column published by Yediot Achronot, journalist Nadav Eyal reported that the soldier, referred to as R., became convinced that Hamas was preparing to launch a major assault. Determined to stay alert, R. remained at his post throughout the night, joined by another female soldier.
According to Eyal’s account, R. repeatedly attempted to persuade his superiors to take immediate precautions. However, the female officers responsible for responding were instructed to “go back to sleep.” The division’s chief intelligence officer, identified as A., also dismissed the concerns. Brigadier General Avi Rosenfeld, the division commander, was present on the base but chose not to come to the operations center despite the warnings.
Eyal further revealed that additional alerts picked up by Unit 8200 — the elite military intelligence unit — were likewise overlooked. A later probe into the intelligence process determined that had all of the warning signs been combined and analyzed together on a single operational map, the threat assessment could have been drastically different.
The report also noted that the Gaza Division possessed a designated early-warning system, but it failed to account for the possibility of a large-scale Hamas incursion. If the system had been engaged — even in its limited configuration — it would have automatically triggered a high-level alert across the entire IDF.
{Matzav.com}
Palestinian Legislative Council member Mustafa Barghouti accused Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of ordering that images showing widespread destruction in Gaza be displayed inside Israeli prisons.
In a video Barghouti shared on X, Ben-Gvir can be seen pointing to one of the images and explaining its purpose. “This is what they have to see in the morning when they go out for their yard hour. One of them, I think here (pointing), that’s his house,” Ben-Gvir says in the clip.
Barghouti claimed the photos were intended to “intimidate Palestinian hostages and political prisoners.”
Reports from Israeli media in February revealed that Palestinian inmates who were released as part of a previous hostage deal were also shown a three-minute video illustrating the extent of destruction in the Gaza Strip. The video was produced by the IDF in coordination with the Israel Prison Service.
During a recent prison visit, Ben-Gvir confronted Barghouti directly and issued a blunt warning. “Whoever messes with Israel – we will wipe him out,” Ben-Gvir told him. He added, “You will not defeat us, whoever messes with the people of Israel, whoever murders our children and women – we will wipe him out. You need to know this, it’s been like this throughout history.”
Following the encounter, the Palestinian Authority condemned Ben-Gvir’s statements, calling his actions a dangerous escalation. “The Palestinian Authority’s Foreign Ministry condemns the raid by extremist Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on the cell of commander Marwan al-Barghouti, directly threatening him. This is an unprecedented provocation and organized state terrorism,” the PA’s statement declared.
Ben-Gvir dismissed the criticism and stood firmly by his words, making it clear he had no regrets. “I will repeat my words again and again without apologizing: anyone who messes with the people of Israel, anyone who murders our children, anyone who murders our women – we will wipe him out. With God’s help,” he said.
{Matzav.com}