NEWS
Netanyahu Vows ‘No Hamas Rule’ in Gaza, Warns Those Behind October 7 Attack Are ‘Living on Borrowed Time’
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a renewed warning that Hamas will not be allowed to govern the Gaza Strip, as Israel marked the anniversary of the October 7 massacre with a state memorial ceremony.
Speaking on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the solemn ceremony, Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s determination to prevent Hamas from retaining political or governing control over Gaza, while also delivering a stern warning to individuals he said were involved in the October 7 attack and the captivity of Israeli hostages.
“There will be no Hamas rule in Gaza,” he said.
Netanyahu further warned that those responsible for the attack and those who held Israeli hostages should not expect to escape accountability, stressing that Israel’s pursuit of those it considers responsible remains ongoing.
“Anyone who was involved in the attack against us and held our hostages is living on borrowed time. Every day, we settle accounts with these despicable murderers,” he added.
The remarks came as Israel commemorated the October 7 attack, an event that profoundly altered the country’s security and political landscape and triggered the devastating war in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s declaration also underscored one of the central issues surrounding the future of Gaza: who will govern the territory after the conflict.
Israel has repeatedly rejected the prospect of Hamas returning to control Gaza, while the question of a post-war administration remains one of the most contentious issues in discussions over the territory’s future.
His warning regarding those involved in the attack and hostage-taking equally highlighted Israel’s continued focus on accountability and the fate of the remaining hostages and their captors.
The memorial ceremony therefore carried both a commemorative and political significance, with Netanyahu using the occasion to reiterate Israel’s position that the events of October 7 will continue to shape its military, security and political decisions.
The prime minister’s remarks come amid the broader and highly contentious international debate over the future governance, security and reconstruction of Gaza, as efforts continue to address the consequences of the p
rolonged conflict.