Netanyahu says war will go on 'as long as necessary'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel's war on Gaza will "take time" and continue "as long as necessary", Israeli media outlets have reported.

During a press conference on Saturday, Netanyahu delivered remarks in Hebrew and English, justifying Israel's attacks on civilian infrastructure in Gaza.

He referred to Saturday's bombing of a building in Gaza known for housing international media organisations, saying "Israel is doing everything possible" to avoid killing civilians.

"We demonstrated this yet again today when we warned civilians to vacate the building used by the Hamas terror intelligence," he said, referring to the building housing the Associated Press, Middle East Eye and Al Jazeera offices.

"They vacated the premises before the target was destroyed. And that's why you don't hear of casualties from these collapsing terror towers."

Israel has not provided any evidence to back its claim that the building was being used by Hamas.

Israeli bombs have killed at least 139 Palestinians, including dozens of children and in some instances entire families.

On Saturday, Netanyahu also thanked US President Joe Biden for his "clear and unequivocal support".

NOW: Netanyahu speaking on violence in Israel opens by only mentioning “Arab rioters” committing acts against Jews and makes no mention of the Israeli Jewish mobs terrorizing Palestinians. “Whoever acts like a terrorist will be treated like a terrorist.” This will only inflame.
— Mairav Zonszein מרב זונשיין (@MairavZ) May 15, 2021