Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced questions regarding his previous statements that the Rafah operation would be the final step needed to defeat Hamas. In March 2024, Netanyahu asserted that victory could not be achieved without entering Rafah and eliminating the remaining Hamas battalions, and suggested the intense phase of fighting would soon conclude once the operation began.

Now, with another major military operation underway, Netanyahu is again framing it as the last step in defeating Hamas. He responded by emphasizing victories in Lebanon, Syria, and Iran following the Rafah operation, though he did not clarify how these developments were directly linked to Rafah or why the operation was previously described as decisive.

Netanyahu later admitted that further operations would be necessary, particularly in Gaza City and the central Gaza refugee camps, but declined to provide details, citing security concerns.