Benjamin Netanyahu – 2023 Statement on Attack on Israel

The statement made by Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, on 7 October 2023.

Citizens of Israel. We are at war, not an operation, not an escalation, a war.

This morning Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack against the state of Israel and its citizens. We’ve been at it since early morning.

I convened the heads of the security system, first of all I instructed to cleanse the settlements of the terrorists who had infiltrated – this operation is being carried out during these hours.

At the same time, I ordered an extensive reserve mobilisation and a retaliatory war with a strength and scope that the enemy had never known.

The enemy will pay a price he has never known. In the meantime, I call on all citizens of Israel to strictly obey the instructions of the army and the instructions of the Home Command.

We are in a war and we will win it.