Forum HaGvura to PM: "The Ultimatum Failed, Only the IDF Will Remove the Threat"

Dozens of bereaved families affiliated with Forum HaGvura have called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pursue the decisive defeat of Hamas, arguing that recent diplomatic efforts have failed and that only military action can remove the threat from Gaza.

In a letter sent to the prime minister, the families said the expiration of an ultimatum for Hamas to disarm, alongside the collapse of international mediation attempts, demonstrated that the terror group has no intention of abandoning its objectives.

“Now is the time to defeat Hamas,” the letter stated, adding that reliance on international actors or political agreements is “doomed to failure.”

The families, who lost relatives during the ongoing war, wrote that Israel must draw lessons from the October 7 attacks, including the need not to underestimate its enemies. They expressed support for the government’s broader military campaign, including operations involving Iran and Lebanon, while urging a more decisive approach in Gaza.

According to the letter, only the IDF can ensure Israel’s security. “No one will do the job for the State of Israel,” the families wrote. “Only the IDF can remove the threat from southern Israel.”

They also stressed that national security must remain under Israeli control, rejecting the idea that external guarantees could replace military action. The families said they could not accept a situation in which Hamas continues to operate, rearm, and pose a threat to civilians.

The appeal included a call for the government to uphold its stated commitment to preventing Gaza from remaining a source of danger to Israel.

Forum HaGvura represents families of fallen soldiers and victims of the current conflict. Their letter reflects ongoing public debate in Israel over the balance between military operations and diplomatic efforts in addressing the threat posed by Hamas.