Netanyahu: Israel dropped 153 tons of bombs on Gaza on Sunday

'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a defiant speech on Monday, outlining what he called “achievements of the war on seven fronts” and vowing to continue military operations until Hamas is fully disarmed.

Speaking at the opening of the Knesset’s winter session, a speech repeatedly interrupted by opposition lawmakers, Netanyahu claimed that 'Israel' “controls the skies over Tehran” and that his government remains committed to “destroying Hamas’ military power and administrative authority.”

The remarks came amid intensifying domestic criticism of Netanyahu’s handling of the war and negotiations with Hamas. He is facing pressure not only from the opposition but also from members of his own coalition.

He also told the Knesset 'Israeli' forces dropped 153 tons of bombs on Gaza on Sunday in what the government described as retaliation for a breach of the ceasefire by Hamas.

"One of our hands holds a weapon, the other hand is stretched out for peace," Netanyahu told members of the Knesset. "You make peace with the strong, not the weak. Today Israel is stronger than ever before."

The air strikes followed an incident that killed two 'Israeli' soldiers. 'Israel' held Hamas responsible for the incident, while the Palestinian group denied any involvement.

Netanyahu said the army has Gaza “fully encircled” and pledged to maintain control of the crossings. He rejected calls to end the war through negotiations, stating, “Had I listened to some people in this room and withdrawn the army from Gaza, we wouldn’t have achieved what we have today.”

He also addressed the issue of captives, claiming that “239 abductees” were returned through “a series of deals” after two years of pressure. “Just as we brought home the living, we are committed to bringing back all the bodies from Gaza,” he said.

The Prime Minister warned of what he described as looming existential threats, alleging that Iran was “months away from developing a nuclear bomb” and that Hezbollah was threatening 'Israeli' cities with “150,000 rockets” and forces stationed “just meters away.”

In a call for internal unity, Netanyahu urged both coalition and opposition parties to lower political tensions, saying, “We know the devastation caused by division in our society, it’s time to lower the tone.” He also announced upcoming talks with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to discuss the post-war phase in Gaza.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid fired back, accusing Netanyahu of “evading responsibility” for the failures surrounding the October 7 Hamas attack. “Netanyahu turned Israel into a client state of Washington,” Lapid said, while questioning who was in power when Hezbollah and Iran expanded their capabilities.

Lapid also clashed with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, calling him “the speaker of half a Knesset.” He concluded by describing the government as “sick and failing,” saying it had “lost public trust.”

Netanyahu responded by stressing that “Israel has real opportunities to expand the circle of peace,” pointing to possible normalization with Arab and Muslim countries under the sponsorship of Donald Trump. He warned that plans to destroy Israel “do not differentiate between us,” urging unity in the face of external threats.