Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel will continue to act decisively against threats from Iran and Hezbollah, warning that any renewed attacks on the country would be met with “overwhelming force.”
In a public statement delivered on Sunday evening, Netanyahu reflected on Israel’s military actions over the past year, describing them as necessary measures to counter what he called existential threats posed by Iran and its regional allies.
According to Netanyahu, Israel launched a major preemptive operation a year ago to prevent Iran from advancing plans that he claimed could have led to the development and deployment of nuclear weapons against Israel. He said the operation successfully neutralized what he described as an immediate danger to the country’s security.
Reiterating Israel’s longstanding position on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Netanyahu pledged that Tehran would not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. He argued that decisive action taken by Israel had altered the strategic balance in the region and prevented a much larger conflict.
The Israeli leader also highlighted military operations against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group based in Lebanon. Netanyahu alleged that Hezbollah had been preparing a large-scale assault on northern Israel, including plans to infiltrate the Galilee region with thousands of fighters while simultaneously targeting Israeli cities with a vast missile arsenal.
He claimed that Israeli military operations disrupted those plans and significantly weakened Hezbollah’s operational capabilities. Netanyahu further stated that Israeli forces have continued targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, including underground facilities and military positions that he described as extensive and strategically important.
“Our fighters are dismantling Hezbollah’s capabilities,” Netanyahu said, adding that military efforts in the region remain ongoing.
Netanyahu asserted that both Iran and Hezbollah are currently weaker than they were before Israel’s recent military campaigns. However, he cautioned that the confrontation is far from over and that Israel remains vigilant against future threats.
Referring to developments over the past 24 hours, the Prime Minister accused Iran and Hezbollah of attempting to establish what he called a “new equation” in which attacks could be launched against Israel without triggering a significant response. He rejected that premise and emphasized that Israel would continue to retaliate against any aggression directed at its territory.
Netanyahu said that following rocket and missile attacks attributed to Hezbollah, he ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to strike targets in Beirut and carry out operations against Hezbollah personnel. He also stated that Israel responded to attacks linked to Iran by targeting military and economic sites within Iranian territory.
While noting that Israel is currently not conducting active strikes, Netanyahu indicated that this restraint is linked to a halt in attacks against Israel. He warned that any future aggression by Iran would provoke a forceful Israeli response.
“At the moment, we are holding our fire because the attacks against us have stopped,” he said. “If Iran resumes its attacks, Israel will respond with overwhelming force.”
Netanyahu stressed that Israel’s actions are rooted in what he described as the country’s legitimate right to self-defense. He also referenced his discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump, expressing appreciation for ongoing dialogue and cooperation between the two allies.
The Prime Minister concluded by calling for national unity and determination, saying Israel would continue working to ensure security for its citizens, particularly in the country’s northern regions, which have experienced heightened tensions amid the broader conflict.
The remarks come at a time of continuing instability across the Middle East, with regional security concerns remaining high despite periods of relative calm. Netanyahu’s statement signals that Israel intends to maintain a firm military posture against both Iran and Hezbollah while closely monitoring developments along its borders and beyond.
