Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said at least 4,000 of Hamas terrorists have been eliminated after October 7, 2023 massacre of Israelis. 

Mr Netanyahu, in a speech on the eve of third anniversary after the deadly attack that left over 1,000 dead, mourned women, children and every victim of Hamas terrorist attack of October 7, 2023.

“On the eve of October 7th, we remember with grief and pain our heroes who fell in the War of Redemption and our brothers and sisters who fell in the terrible massacre in the Gaza border communities: Women, men, children, babies who were murdered and burned by the Hamas monsters,” Mr Netanyahu said.

He added, “Over the past three years, we have eliminated 4,000 out of 6,000 of these monsters. None of them have immunity. We will reach all of them, and Hamas rule in Gaza will be eradicated.”

The Israeli prime minister said the country’s enemies had been degraded and Isreal remains strongest country in the Middle East. 

“Over these past three years, two things have happened: First – we have turned the tables. The State of Israel is the strongest country in the Middle East, and our enemies are weaker than ever,” Mr Netanyahu said.

According to Mr Netanyahu, during the three years, the Tekuma region was revived. 

He said 90 per cent of the residents had returned to their homes, joined by many others. 

He added, “There is tremendous momentum in construction and rehabilitation in the Western Negev – in the cities, kibbutzim, and moshavim. Young couples are coming there to start new lives. This is the victory of the spirit over evil, the victory of Israel over its enemies. The exact same thing is happening in the north as well. 

“Precisely because Hamas is so weak, it will try to challenge us with the remainder of its forces ahead of the elections to try to influence them. We are prepared for this; first and foremost, we will thwart such attempts, and in any case, we will respond with overwhelming force if they make this mistake. I say to all our enemies: Look at what we did to you across seven fronts in the War of Redemption. Do not mess with us.”

Ahead of the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel, UN secretary general António Guterres on Monday called for a peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians.

“Let this anniversary mark not only another year of mourning, but also a renewed determination to build a different future,” Mr Guterres said in New York.