Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed warnings from the leaders of the UK, France, and Canada, who cautioned against a full military occupation of Gaza.

As reported, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a joint statement on Monday opposing any such occupation. Their warning came after Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) would continue military operations in Gaza until Hamas releases all hostages from the October 7 attack.

Responding to the joint statement, Netanyahu accused the three leaders of rewarding Hamas’s assault on Israel. He asserted that Israel has the right to use all legitimate means to protect its citizens and territory.

His statement read in part:
“By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa, and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities.

“The war began on October 7 when Palestinian terrorists stormed our borders, murdered 1,200 innocent people, and abducted over 250 more into Gaza.”

Netanyahu emphasized that the war could end immediately if Hamas surrenders its weapons, releases all hostages, and its leaders are exiled while Gaza is demilitarized.

He concluded, “This is a war of civilization over barbarism. Israel will continue to defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved.”