Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticized former senior military officials, accusing them of abandoning Israel's commitment to 'victory' and yielding to international pressure for political solutions he equates with surrender. Speaking at an event in Jerusalem, Netanyahu argued that the concept of victory has faded from the Israel Defense Forces' ethos over the years, and vowed to restore it, insisting that only military triumph ensures Israel's survival.

He rejected calls for a Palestinian state, describing such proposals as illusions that threaten Israel's existence. Netanyahu also condemned pro-Hamas sentiment on American college campuses and recounted alleged atrocities against the Druze minority in Syria, framing Israel's struggle as a defense of Western civilization against barbarism.

The remarks come amid growing criticism from the Israeli public and former defense officials over the ongoing war in Gaza, with many calling for its end in exchange for the release of hostages. Netanyahu, however, remains steadfast in his refusal to accept political compromises, emphasizing that Israel must not give up on victory.