‘Will continue to act to achieve all war objectives’: Netanyahu says as Israel marks two years of October 7 attacks

‘Changed the face of Middle East’

As the conflict enters its third year, Netanyahu said it was a “war for our very existence and future.”

“Alongside the immense pain, we feel great pride in our nation’s remarkable resilience. Our soldiers and commanders are fiercely fighting back against those who seek our harm on every front, near and far. Those who raise a hand against us receive unprecedented crushing blows. Together, we broke the Iranian axis; together, we changed the face of the Middle East,” he said.

שנתיים חלפו מאז מתקפת 7 באוקטובר – הטבח המחריד באחינו ובאחיותינו תושבי הנגב המערבי ומשתתפי מסיבת הנובה.

שילמנו מחיר כואב ביותר. תינוקות, ילדים, מבוגרים וזקנים נרצחו באכזריות מזעזעת בידי מחבלי החמאס. 251 איש ואישה נחטפו למנהרות הטרור ברצועת עזה.

אני ורעייתי מרכינים ראש לזכר… pic.twitter.com/fHmwsB7007

— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 7, 2025

‘Will bring the hostages back’

On the issue of the 48 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, Netanyahu said efforts to bring them back will continue.

“We embrace with love the grieving families, wish a full recovery to those wounded in body and soul, and of course, continue to act in every way to bring back all the hostages – the living and the fallen alike,” he said.

1195 people were killed and 251 others were abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, in the worst terror attack in Israel’s history. Israel responded with unprecedented brutality, killing over 67,000 Palestinians in Gaza in the past two years.

Gaza peace talks in Egypt

Netanyahu’s comments come as the negotiations to end the war in Gaza, according to US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, are underway in Egypt’s capital, Cairo.

Last week, Trump unveiled his Gaza peace plan, which had the backing of influential Arab and Muslim countries. The peace plan, which called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages, has been accepted by Israel. Hamas also responded positively to the proposal and expressed its willingness to comply with some of them, while remaining silent on others.

Hamas wants real guarantees

On Tuesday, Hamas’ top negotiator Khalil al-Hayya said the group wants “real guarantees” to end the war, citing past experience with Israel during two previous ceasefires. In an interview with Egyptian channel Al-Qahera Al-Ikhbariya, the Hamas leader said they came to the talks with the direct goal of ending the war, securing an Israeli withdrawal from the Strip, and carrying out a “prisoner exchange — the release of all Israeli hostages, both living and dead, and the Palestinian prisoners that were discussed, according to the Trump plan.”