Netanyahu Says Iran's Aim to Destroy Israel Persists Despite Diminished Capability
Netanyahu said Iran's desire to destroy Israel remains but its ability to act has been significantly reduced, and pledged to finish defeating Hamas and Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that Iran's ambition to destroy Israel has not faded, even as its capacity to carry it out has been sharply reduced.
Speaking at a ceremony at the President's office in Jerusalem honouring outstanding members of the Shin Bet, Netanyahu said the desire "has not disappeared" but had "simply weakened in terms of capability to execute it." He added that the capability had been "significantly diminished" and that while most of the work had been done, "there is still work to be completed."
He pledged to eliminate Hamas, to "first defeat the regime in Iran" and bring it down, and to deal with Hezbollah, saying it too would fall.
Turning to Gaza, Netanyahu described what he called a surprising phenomenon, saying that entering the territory had not shielded Hamas as some might have assumed, but had produced the opposite result. He said Israel was settling scores with those who killed Israelis on October 7, and with those still remaining, adding that not many are left.
He told security personnel that when Israel warns terrorists that no one is immune and all will be reached, they are putting those words into action.
The war was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, in which militants stormed into southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Many returned hostages have described long-term starvation, physical and psychological abuse and, in some cases, sexual abuse.
Although an October ceasefire has reduced fighting in Gaza, Israel has continued to carry out strikes, killing at least 1,375 people since the agreement took effect, according to local health officials. The nearly three-year Israel-Hamas war has killed more than 73,789 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and militants but reports that women and children make up around half the total toll.