Netanyahu defends Israeli operations in Gaza City and 'legitimate' strike on Hamas in Qatar

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his country's controversial strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar as "legitimate" during talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Monday, rejecting international condemnation while announcing continued plans for the Gaza City offensive.

In a joint press conference following their meeting, Rubio stressed that Washington stands firmly behind Israel and reiterated US President Donald Trump’s views to achieve a lasting peace: release of all hostages living and deceased and the end of Hamas leadership.

Netanyahu said that the Israel-Hamas war, which is nearing its second-year mark, cannot end without achieving all of Israel’s military objectives, namely the destruction of the Gaza-based group.

Netanyahu said his government remains committed to its goals and will not end its offensive on the Strip until all hostages are returned. Some 50 hostages still remain in Hamas captivity, of which 20 are believed to be alive.

The Israeli premier also spoke on his country’s imminent operation in Gaza City, which last month Netanyahu announced would involve the city’s occupation. The Israeli leader says the IDF believes the northern city is one of Hamas’ last strongholds, and is committed to dismantling its operational capacity.

Gaza City is home to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, whom Israel has issued forced evacuation orders for, instructing them to move to the south.

Netanyahu slammed Hamas, accusing them of forcing civilians to remain in the city, even adding that Hamas fighters are “shooting them in the legs” to prevent them from leaving. The Israeli prime minister has not presented any evidence to support those claims.

Netanyahu stressed that the planned military operation will take place regardless, but urged civilians to heed Israeli advice and “get out of harm’s way”.

Qatar attacks were 'legitimate,' Netanyahu says

The pair also commented on last week’s Israeli attacks on Hamas' leadership in the Qatari capital Doha, which much of the international community has slammed as illegal.

Netanyahu again reiterated that his country acted “wholly independently”, adding that the strike, beyond targeting Hamas figures, was a message: “You can run, you can hide, but we’ll get you”.

The Israeli premier also denounced the wave of international criticism of Israel.

“There is immense cynicism and hypocrisy in the condemnation of Israel,” said Netanyahu. He later cited UN Security Council resolution 1373 as one of the reasons behind their attacks, which details that no state should harbour, finance or provide a safe haven for terrorists.

Netanyahu later also compared his country’s strikes on Doha to US operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan to target the late leader of Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, saying that they were targeting entities they classify as terrorists and are therefore justified.

“You don’t have such sovereignty, when you are effectively giving a base to terrorists, and a place where they can ply their gruesome trade. It’s the right of every country under international law to defend itself beyond its borders against those who would kill their citizens," Netanyahu explained.

Netanyahu also referenced Israeli operations in Europe targeting Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) militants who assassinated Israeli athletes at the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972, noting that no country condemned Israel for the operation at the time.

“We did this one by one by one, in the leading European countries, I didn’t hear a great cry of wrongdoing to these countries, even though they weren’t harbouring these terrorists, they were just there. They didn’t even harbour them as was with this case," he said.

Rubio did not directly detail Washington's position on the attack or offer a condemnation, instead insisting that the US is committed to containing the situation and avoiding a larger spillover of conflict in the region.

The top US diplomat also added that Qatar is a “great ally” of the US, and stressed that Trump remains committed to partners in the Gulf. Earlier on Friday, Trump was asked about the attack and warned Israel to be “careful in its approach” with Qatar.