Netanyahu Defends Israeli Conduct in Gaza War, Ignoring Criticism and Citing Unverified Intelligence

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a scathing address to Congress on Wednesday, defending his country’s actions during the devastating Gaza war. Despite widespread criticism and the loss of tens of thousands of Palestinian lives, Netanyahu dismissed much of the backlash and instead urged the United States to support the fight against Hamas. However, his speech was marred by the use of an unverified intelligence report and the omission of crucial details.

Netanyahu claimed that Israel had enabled over 40,000 aid trucks, carrying half a million tons of food, to enter Gaza. He argued that if Palestinians in Gaza were not receiving enough food, it was due to Hamas stealing it, rather than Israeli blockades. While Israel has eased the siege under U.S. pressure, aid groups and the United Nations have reported difficulties in distributing the supplies due to ongoing military operations and fighting with Hamas. Criminal gangs have also targeted aid trucks, according to U.N. officials. Experts have warned of severe hunger and the risk of famine in Gaza.

The Israeli leader also accused protesters of being “Iran’s useful idiots” without providing evidence that Iran was funding them. However, the top U.S. intelligence official stated that the Iranian government, along with other countries, covertly encouraged American protests against Israel’s war on Hamas. Iran has been using social media platforms to pose as online activists, encourage protests, and provide financial support to some protest groups.

Netanyahu defended Israel against accusations of deliberately targeting civilians, highlighting the efforts made by the Israeli military to warn and evacuate Palestinian civilians. However, reports and footage have shown that Israeli strikes have resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians, including children, and that soldiers have shot and killed Palestinians who posed no threat. Israeli evacuation orders have forced the majority of Gaza’s population to flee multiple times, with airstrikes and raids causing civilian casualties even within designated “humanitarian zones.”

The Israeli leader conveniently omitted significant details during his address. He failed to acknowledge the intelligence and security blunders that allowed Hamas to breach Israel’s defenses, as well as the fact that the majority of hostages were freed during a brief cease-fire. Netanyahu also neglected to mention that Israeli forces mistakenly killed three hostages and that approximately 120 hostages remain in captivity, with a third believed to be dead. The catastrophic situation in Gaza since the outbreak of the war, including the high number of Palestinian casualties and the dire humanitarian conditions, was also left unaddressed.

While Netanyahu claimed to speak on behalf of the people of Israel, public support for him has plummeted since the start of the war. Many blame him for the Hamas attacks and thousands have attended protests calling for his resignation. Critics argue that he is prolonging the war for political reasons, appeasing his far-right governing partners who oppose a cease-fire and seeking to maintain his grip on power.