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Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu delivered a forceful defense of Israel’s wartime strategy on Wednesday, declaring that the country’s military successes were achieved because it ignored calls for restraint and acted decisively in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. He also revealed that while he informed President Donald Trump before launching Israel’s operation against Iran, he never sought American approval.

Addressing the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel Conference, Netanyahu argued that Israel’s willingness to take bold military action fundamentally altered the strategic landscape and prevented far greater threats from materializing.

Focusing first on Lebanon, Netanyahu said Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah has transformed conditions along the northern border and created a buffer against future attacks.

“It’s true, Hezbollah is still in Lebanon, but there is something else there now. Today, there is a security zone there that prevents Hezbollah and its remnants from invading the Galilee, because that was the plan,” Netanyahu said.

According to the prime minister, Israeli forces have been systematically dismantling Hezbollah’s underground infrastructure, dramatically reducing the terror group’s capabilities.

“We are destroying all of this underground infrastructure. I was there in southern Lebanon and I saw it; it’s unbelievable. It is simply different,” he added.

Netanyahu acknowledged that significant security threats remain, pointing specifically to the growing danger posed by armed drones, which he described as one of the next major challenges facing Israel.

“We still have work to do, especially on what I call the ‘Manhattan Project’ – we will be the first in the world to solve the explosive drone problem, which is a global issue, and we are solving it,” he stated.

The prime minister argued that Israel’s battlefield accomplishments were possible only because it rejected demands to halt military operations before key objectives had been achieved.

“If we had followed your suggestion to stop at Rafah, we would have gotten nada, zero, gornisht, nothing. Zero. That is not who we are,” he said.

Turning to Syria, Netanyahu said critics had similarly urged Israel to avoid intervention there, advice he said would have been a mistake.

“They told us not to enter; they said it wasn’t wise. We entered with all our might, and we also saved our Druze brothers, whom I salute,” he said. “We will protect our Druze brothers and we will never abandon them.”

Netanyahu devoted considerable attention to Iran, describing the effort to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons as the central mission of his political life.

“Over the years, I have dedicated most of my adult life to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons; I saw it as an existential threat to our survival,” he said.

“I do not want the thousands-of-years-old existence of the Jewish people to be cut short by these Ayatollahs acquiring nuclear weapons.”

While highlighting years of covert Israeli activity inside Iran, Netanyahu said he eventually concluded that direct military action was necessary despite fierce opposition from skeptics.

“They told us: ‘A military operation in Iran? You are forbidden from doing that. Eliminating the leadership of Iran? No, no, not that.’ So I did not listen to them, and I led Operation Rising Lion,” Netanyahu said.

The prime minister said he personally selected the name of the operation to reflect what he views as the determination and courage of the Israeli people and military.

“I chose this name, ‘A people shall rise like a lion’ – because we have a nation of lions and an army of lions.”

Netanyahu also disclosed details of his communication with Trump before the operation began, stressing that Israel acted independently.

“I told him: ‘We are going into Iran, because I am not waiting for these oppressors who declare openly that they want to destroy us. I will not let that happen. Therefore, we are taking action.’ I didn’t ask for permission; I simply informed him of our plan,” he said.

The prime minister compared that decision to his earlier dispute with the Biden administration over Israel’s operation in Rafah, recalling warnings that military aid could be suspended if Israel proceeded.

“When they told me, ‘Do not enter Rafah,’ the President of the United States said he would halt the weapons supply,” Netanyahu said. “I said I respect him very much, and he even came here at the beginning of the war, but we have no choice, we will enter – and if we must, we will fight with our fingernails.”

Netanyahu said moments arise when Israel must stand firm regardless of outside pressure, even from its closest allies.

“Because there are moments when you must know how to tell even the President of the United States what we stand for,” he added.

The prime minister concluded by criticizing opponents who, he said, spent months urging Israel not to act and are now complaining that military victories were incomplete.

“The very same people who told us don’t enter Gaza, don’t enter Rafah, don’t enter Lebanon, don’t enter Syria, don’t enter Iran… today, they come and tell us, ‘But you didn’t finish the job,'” he said.

Arguing that critics would never have supported the operations that produced Israel’s gains, Netanyahu added: “They, who wanted zero, come and tell us, ‘You didn’t achieve 100%, only 80-90%.'”

{Matzav.com}

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Israel’s continued military operations in southern Lebanon are solely a response to Hezbollah attacks, while emphasizing that the United States is working to strengthen Lebanon’s ability to police its own territory and prevent future threats against Israel.

Speaking to reporters before departing Kuwait, Rubio discussed ongoing American-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon, describing the negotiations as part of a broader effort to reduce Hezbollah’s influence and expand the authority of Lebanon’s official government and military.

“The whole purpose, the only reason Israel is in Lebanon is because Hezbollah launches rockets and drones from there,” Rubio said. “The reason why they’re involved there is because territory of Lebanon is being used to launch drones and missiles against Israel.”

According to Rubio, the long-term objective is to place more areas of southern Lebanon under the control of the Lebanese Armed Forces rather than Hezbollah.

“Our hope [is] that the Lebanese armed forces and the legitimate, sovereign Lebanese government will continue to be able to control and secure more and more of their own territory, because that’s who needs to control Lebanese territory, not a terrorist group like Hezbollah,” he stated.

While expressing confidence in the intentions of Lebanon’s government, Rubio acknowledged that its military still requires significant development before it can fully assume responsibility for security in the region.

“We have to build up that capacity. That’s been a longstanding challenge. I think the willingness is there. I think we need to help build up that capacity,” he said.

Rubio explained that current discussions include the possibility of establishing limited “pilot zones” where Lebanese forces would first assume responsibility before the concept is expanded elsewhere.

“This is not going to happen overnight,” he said.

The secretary also stressed that Israel has no desire to retain Lebanese territory and has repeatedly conveyed that its presence is tied exclusively to security concerns.

“I want to reiterate what the Israelis have told us, and that is the only reason why they’re there is because Hezbollah’s launching against their people. If Hezbollah wasn’t launching against them, they wouldn’t be there,” Rubio said.

A substantial portion of Rubio’s remarks focused on the ongoing diplomatic effort between Washington and Tehran.

Asked about the administration’s decision to provide a temporary 60-day waiver easing certain sanctions on Iranian oil exports, Rubio characterized the move as a tactical element of the negotiation process rather than a permanent policy shift.

“Anytime you enter into a negotiation, it’s a process of give and take. This is a temporary measure. It’s for 60 days,” he said.

Rubio warned that the sanctions relief is contingent on Iran honoring commitments it made during recent discussions in Switzerland and suggested that President Donald Trump retains a wide range of options if Tehran fails to comply.

“We expect them to live up to the commitments they made in Switzerland,” he said. “If they don’t live up to those commitments, the President has a lot of options at his disposal, including, I’m not saying he’s going to do it, I’m saying including reversing these sanctions.”

Emphasizing the administration’s expectations, Rubio added, “They’ve made very straight-up commitments in Switzerland, and the President has been very clear they need to keep those commitments.”

When asked about the timeline for allowing international inspectors access to Iran’s nuclear facilities, Rubio indicated that inspections should begin immediately.

“As soon as possible.”

“That needs to happen. That’s a commitment they made, and it’s one they need to keep,” he said.

Rubio also made clear that any eventual agreement must be comprehensive and enforceable, signaling that Washington will not settle for a symbolic arrangement.

“If we’re going to get a deal, it has to be a real deal, and it has to be a good deal,” he said. “If Iran wants to make a good and real deal, the United States is open to that. If they’re not, then, of course, the President has options.”

The secretary dismissed speculation that Israel is attempting to derail the current memorandum of understanding that governs the negotiations, insisting that Jerusalem remains fully informed regarding the administration’s efforts.

“We’re working on this. The Israelis exactly know what we’re working on. All of our partners in the region know what we’re working on. Everybody understands what the President’s red lines and positions are on this,” he said.

Rubio further revealed that negotiations will continue next week, with technical experts scheduled to resume discussions as diplomats work through a range of complex issues.

“The technical group will return on the 30th next week to continue those talks,” he said, explaining that the negotiations have been divided into multiple tracks addressing different components of a potential agreement.

Addressing concerns among Gulf Arab nations, Rubio pledged that the administration would remain in close contact with regional partners and would not pursue an arrangement that jeopardizes their security.

“We’re not going to do anything that undermines the security of our allies, our long-standing allies in the region,” he said.

{Matzav.com}