Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated Israel's aim of achieving «total victory» against Hamas, stating that the war is not just Israel's but also the US's, as it is also a battle against the «Iranian axis.»
He said that the Iranian axis of terror is threatening to close the maritime strait of Bab el-Mandeb and is presenting a threat to the freedom of navigation for the world.
Netanyahu was speaking at the joint press conference with US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin on Monday and he thanked Washington for their continuous support of Tel Aviv amid the ongoing war with Hamas and thanked the US for their support.
Speaking to the reporters, Netanyahu said, «We are fighting a war of civilization against barbarism. I can say that when we spoke, I expressed again our commitment--Israel's commitment--to achieve total victory against Hamas. And we think this is not only our war but, in many ways, your war, because you are leading the forces of civilization in the world.»
«This is a battle against the Iranian axis, the Iranian axis of terror, which is now threatening to close the maritime strait of Bab el-Mandeb. This threatens the freedom of navigation of the entire world,» he added.
He further thanked Washington for their continuous support of Tel Aviv amid the ongoing war with Hamas.
«I appreciate the fact that you're taking action to open that strait. It's not only our interest; it is the interest, I think, of the entire civilised community. I want to thank you for the support that you have shown consistently, and I welcome the opportunity to talk about what else we're doing to have our common interests served,» Netanyahu further said.
Meanwhile, Lloyd