Chicago – December 14, 2023
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged Wednesday to persist with an offensive that has killed more than 18,000 Palestinians and prompted widespread calls for a cease-fire, remaining defiant in light of Israel’s worst combat losses since late October.
A day after President Joe Biden said “indiscriminate bombing” is causing Israel to lose international support − in a rare sign of discord between the allies − Netanyahu told military commanders to carry on with their pursuit of Hamas militants in Gaza.
“We are continuing until the end, there is no question,” Netanyahu said. “I say this even given the great pain, and the international pressure. Nothing will stop us, we will continue until the end, until victory, nothing less.”
The Israeli military said Wednesday 10 of its soldiers, including a colonel and a lieutenant colonel, were killed in the previous 24 hours in north Gaza, the biggest loss of life for the army since 15 Israeli soldiers died Oct. 31, Reuters reported.
On Tuesday, the U.N. General Assembly voted 153 to 10 in favor of a humanitarian cease-fire, with the U.S. and Israel in opposition. Last week, the U.S. vetoed a similar Security Council resolution, the only member to vote against it.
