Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined the strategic objectives of military operations on the borders with Gaza and Lebanon, focusing on the need to prevent Hezbollah attacks, despite existing international ceasefire agreements in Lebanon.
The Times of Israel writes about this.
According to him, Israel’s ability to respond quickly to aggression is more important than any document and resolution, citing the decisions of the UN Security Council as an example. He presented this position as a priority after a meeting with senior US administration officials responsible for the Middle East.
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s security cannot be held hostage to external restrictions and that the state is obliged to actively oppose the arming of its opponents. Among the main tasks, he highlighted the need to destroy threats in the region and maintain a strategic advantage over Iran, with which Israel is waging a hidden struggle.
Amid patriotic cheers from the crowd, the prime minister said recent Israeli attacks on Iranian targets had weakened Iran’s influence, which he said strengthened Israel’s position in the region. He maintains that Israel has the ability to operate in Iran more freely than ever, which he attributes to recent Israeli air force operations aimed at destroying Iranian anti-aircraft batteries and radars in response to a ballistic missile attack on October 1.
The main objective of the Israeli military, as Netanyahu said, remains to prevent the creation of nuclear weapons in Iran. He noted that this task remains a constant focus for the IDF, although he could not reveal details of plans to achieve it. The Prime Minister emphasized that Israel acts based on the principle of total victory, setting clear objectives for success in the war.
Responding to criticism related to the organization of military operations starting in October 2023, Netanyahu noted that the military strategy aimed at suppressing Hamas was determined from the beginning.
He explained that the government had decided to focus its efforts in the south to suppress organized Hamas forces and then redirect resources to the north.
According to Netanyahu, Israel is changing the strategic balance of power in the Middle East, although it remains at the center of geopolitical tensions. He stressed the importance of US support, but noted that Israel acts independently on national security issues.
Regarding his diplomatic stance, the Prime Minister criticized those who insist on a quick peace with Lebanon before the completion of important operations such as the dismantling of Hezbollah’s infrastructure and the destruction of its missile arsenal. He said more than half of the hostages taken by Hamas in October had been freed and the return of the rest was a matter requiring private negotiations.
Netanyahu also expressed his gratitude to IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi for his contribution to achieving his goals.
Previously, Kursor wrote that a scandal related to a threat to national security broke out in Netanyahu’s office.
