Netanyahu tells Israelis: ‘We are in a war for our existence’ while Biden tells Israel not to invade Gaza yet

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL – Eighteen days after the worst slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust, Israel is pounding northern Gaza from the air but still has not invaded the Gaza Strip to destroy Hamas once and for all.

Why not?

Israelis are demanding answers.

Tonight, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation on live television.

Almost simultaneously, U.S. President Joe Biden spoke to the American people in his first press conference since the Oct. 7th Hamas slaughter of Israelis.

At the very same time, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that Biden is pressuring Netanyahu not to invade until more diplomatic efforts can be made to get all 220 Israeli hostages out safely.

And so more American air defense batteries can be flown to Israel and installed.

Is that true?

Netanyahu refused to comment on specific war plans.

But he did speak bluntly.

“Israel is in the midst of a fight for our existence,” Netanyahu began, vowing “to eliminate Hamas by destroying its military and governance capabilities, and to do everything possible to get our hostages back.”

“All Hamas members are dead men walking – above and below ground, inside and outside Gaza,” Netanyahu declared.

“Together with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Minister Benny Gantz, the security cabinet, the chief of staff and heads of the security organizations, we are working around the clock in order to achieve the war aims until victory, and doing so without political considerations.”

For the first time, he promised a full investigation of Israel’s military and intelligence failures.

But first, he said, Israel must fight and win.

“October 7 was a black day in our history. We will get to the bottom of what happened on the southern border and the Gaza-envelope area. The debacle will be checked to the full.”

“Everyone will have to give answers on the debacle – including myself – but all that will happen only after the war,” Netanyahu said.

“As prime minister, I am responsible for securing the future of the state. And right now, my job is to lead the State of Israel and the people to a crushing victory over our enemies.

“Now is the time to join forces for one goal: To surge forward to victory… with deep faith in the justice of our cause,” he said, according to a fast translation from Hebrew to English by the Times of Israel and i24 news.

Meeting earlier today with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, Netanyahu said, "I thank you, chancellor, for coming here. You’ve expressed unqualified support for Israel. It’s our darkest hour, and your support is important. Because this is a battle of civilization against barbarism, and Israel is fighting the battle for civilization, which I know you support. Thank you for coming here.”

"This is barbarism,” Netanyahu added. “It’s the worst atrocities committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. It’s worse than ISIS."

"Absolutely,” the Chancellor said. “That’s the reason why I am here…because we stand on the side of Israel. We have the same and share the same values. And the joint fight against terrorism is now more important than ever."

Netanyahu’s address to the nation came as Israel is being attacked by three Iranian terror proxy forces, Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, who have fired five cruise missiles at Israel.

Fortunately, four were intercepted by the U.S. Navy.

The fifth was intercepted by Saudi Arabia, the first time in history the Saudis have openly defended Israel.

As Netanyahu spoke, another salvo of rockets was fired from Gaza at Tel Aviv and central Israel.

So, when will the ground invasion of northern Gaza begin?

Is Biden truly trying to help Israel, or tie its hands and complicate the defeat of Hamas?

And is Netanyahu and his war cabinet only planning to go after Hamas – or are they planning a massive and surprise preemptive strike on Iran and Hezbollah?

Stay tuned to ALL ISRAEL NEWS as we cover each of these questions and every dimension of the war and its geopolitical and biblical implications.