Netanyahu refuses to back down after Blinken says Israel doesn't have 'credit' for next war phase: 'Nothing will stop us'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not backing down after Secretary of State Antony Blinken allegedly told Israel's war cabinet they don't have the "credit" to destroy Hamas.

As the next phase of Israel's war against Hamas commences, Blinken allegedly told Israel's war cabinet that its offensive in southern Gaza must be carried out with more discretion than operations in the north before the temporary ceasefire, according to leaked remarks.

"You can’t operate in southern Gaza in the way you did in the north," Blinken allegedly said. "There are two million Palestinians there. You need to evacuate fewer people from their homes, be more accurate in the attacks, not hit [United Nations] facilities, and ensure that there are enough protected areas [for civilians]. And if not? Then not to attack where there is a civilian population."

Herzi Halevi, chief of the general IDF staff, told Blinken that Israeli forces have already been operating with extreme discretion, including "instances where we decided not to attack because we waited for a better opportunity."

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant added that Israelis are "united behind the goal of dismantling Hamas — even if it takes months."

"I don’t think you have the credit for that," Blinken responded, a remark that was interpreted to mean that Israel needs more justification for an aggressive campaign in southern Gaza.

After the meeting, Netanyahu released a statement vowing never to back down from Israel's goal of totally eliminating Hamas.

"I have just concluded a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, shortly after Hamas murderers murdered people here in Jerusalem," Netanyahu said.

"I told him that it is the same Hamas. It is the same Hamas that perpetrated the terrible massacre on Oct. 7 and the same Hamas that is trying to murder us everywhere," he explained. "I told him: We have sworn, I have sworn, to eliminate Hamas. Nothing will stop us."

"We will continue this war until we achieve the three goals: Freeing all of our hostages, completely eliminating Hamas and ensuring that no threat like this will ever come from Gaza again," Netanyahu declared.

The State Department declined to comment on the meeting, Axios reported.

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