Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his government's policies in managing the war on Gaza, particularly regarding the handling of the prisoner issue, attacking criticism and reinforcing his narrative that "military and political pressure" is the only way to recover the prisoners.

This came at the start of the Israeli government session on Sunday morning, with Netanyahu saying, "The combination of military and political pressure is the only thing that brought the prisoners back, not all the empty claims and slogans I hear in the studios from those who consider themselves experts."

Regarding the war of extermination on the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu said: "Military pressure is working. It simultaneously strikes Hamas's military and governmental capabilities, while creating conditions for the release of our prisoners. That's exactly what we are doing."

He continued, "The cabinet met last night and decided to increase the pressure, which was already substantial, in order to further crush Hamas and create optimal conditions for the release of the prisoners." He added, "In this context, I want to respond to three false allegations that are constantly being leveled against us, as part of a series of ongoing lies."

He said, "The first is that we are not negotiating. This is not true. We are negotiating under fire, and that is why they are effective. We are now noticing some cracks. The second is that we are not prepared to discuss the final stage. This is also not true."

He added, "We are ready. Hamas must lay down its weapons and allow its leaders to leave Gaza, and we will ensure public security in the Strip and enable the implementation of US President Donald Trump's plan for voluntary emigration. This is the plan. We are not hiding it and are prepared to discuss it at any time."

He added, "The third point is that we don't care about the prisoners. This is not true. Last week, we met with four families and spoke with four others. We spoke deeply and felt their great pain. Claiming that we don't care is echoing Hamas propaganda, what Hamas is trying to broadcast in its videos to target our unity and our image."

Netanyahu continued, "We are committed to returning the prisoners, and we are working toward that. So far, only a combination of military and political pressure has yielded results, not all those empty claims from studio pundits."

Regarding Hezbollah, Netanyahu said, "In Lebanon, there is strict enforcement, without compromise. These are the instructions that I, the defense minister, and the cabinet gave to the army, and it is implementing them to the best of its ability. We do not allow any complacency, any reduction in the level of deterrence, or any special considerations."

He added, "The State of Lebanon is responsible for what originates from its territory, and it must ensure that no attacks are launched from there toward Israel. We respect Lebanon and its army, and therefore we demand of them what we demand from a party that respects us."

Regarding the Houthis, Netanyahu said, "I greatly appreciate the actions being taken by the United States, our ally. They are hitting them with great force. We, in turn, are working to protect ourselves, as happened recently. But the United States' strong entry into this arena is an important development."

He concluded by saying, "We always value alliances. We have an alliance with the greatest power in the world, and it stands behind us in this arena and elsewhere without reservation, with the full appreciation of the citizens and government of Israel."