Israeli defense minister on IDF continuing Gaza offensive: 'We do not have the legitimacy to stop'

A picture taken from Rafah, on the southern Gaza Srip, shows smoke billowing over buildings following Israeli bombardment on December 4, 2023, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Photo by SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images)

Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant addressed criticisms of Israel's offensive in Gaza,  arguing that the only "legitimate" action is destroying Hamas.

“Lately, I have been asked whether we have the legitimacy to continue fighting, and to that I answer: we do not have the legitimacy to stop," Gallant said.

"There is only one legitimate thing to do: to win against Hamas, to strike them and eliminate them – destroying their governing and military capabilities, and bringing the hostages home," he added.

The Israeli official also reported that he had met the families of hostages in Gaza, and said that their stories were "difficult to hear."

"And I tell the families and the few hostages that arrived after being released: we are fully dedicated to bringing back all the hostages, with no exception," Gallant continued. "The IDF is creating the conditions for this. And we take all the actions and invest all our efforts in bringing them home."