In a detailed conversation with journalist Gadi Taub, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu explained the thinking behind the critical decisions made during the recent conflict. He discussed the shifting dynamics of the Middle East, as well as Israel’s ongoing security and diplomatic challenges. The interview spanned a wide range of issues, covering the battles in Gaza and Lebanon, Israel’s relationship with the United States, and the unwavering determination of Israeli society.
Netanyahu began by reflecting on the evolving geopolitical landscape in the region, stating that “the war changed the face of the Middle East.” He referred to the ‘Iron Wall’ doctrine of Ze’ev Jabotinsky, which posited that “the State of Israel must prove it is a fait accompli that cannot be eliminated.” While normalization efforts, such as the Abraham Accords, have helped solidify Israel’s position, he emphasized that the primary threat remains Iran, which seeks “domination over the Middle East through proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas.”
“Iran has created a land corridor from Iran to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza, with the aim of establishing a stranglehold around Israel,” Netanyahu continued. “They operate systematically, with an extreme ideology aimed at exporting the Islamic revolution. The struggle against them is an existential struggle.”
When discussing the conflict in Gaza, Netanyahu explained the tactical decision to focus efforts on the southern region while also keeping up active defense in the north. “On the second day of fighting, we realized we had to eliminate Hamas. Some argued that we should open a front against Hezbollah as well, but I thought that was a mistake. We had to concentrate our efforts in the south,” he said.
He further described the intense pressures Israel encountered, especially from the United States. “Biden explicitly told me – if you enter Rafah, we will stop your aid. I replied, we will fight even with our nails if we need to. We stood up to the pressures and decided to enter. Sinwar was sure we would capitulate. We returned to fight and dealt him a heavy blow.”
Netanyahu underscored the IDF’s success in minimizing civilian casualties. “When we entered Rafah, the division commander reported that we had killed over 1,200 militants, while civilian casualties were close to zero. Hamas tried to prevent them from fleeing, but the population understood there was no choice,” he noted.
The Prime Minister commended the bravery shown by both the soldiers and the broader Israeli populace. “We discovered extraordinary bravery. A soldier who lost a leg said, ‘I want to return to the front line.’ This is the essence of our spirit. There is a minority with financial support from abroad that emphasizes personal pain, but most of the people understand that if we don’t fight – we will not survive.”
On the campaign against Hezbollah, Netanyahu remarked, “We understood that we must crush them. We deployed suicide drones that hit infrastructure. Later, we destroyed their missile depots and eliminated Nasrallah. Hezbollah was Assad’s backbone. Without it, the Syrian army collapsed within days.”
Speaking on the confrontation with Iran, Netanyahu reiterated the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. “We fought them in the past and will continue to do everything to stop them. They understand we are ready for confrontation,” he affirmed.
Regarding the hostages, Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to bringing all hostages home, while acknowledging the complexity of the situation. “Sinwar believed that pressure on Israel would force us to stop fighting. Only when we advanced to Rafah did he begin to cooperate. Some demanded to stop fighting, but I knew that if we stop Hamas will survive. The combination of military and diplomatic pressure is what brings results.”
Looking ahead to the future, Netanyahu outlined the plans for post-Hamas Gaza. “After the elimination of Hamas, we will allow Palestinians in the Strip to leave voluntarily, under Israeli control. Surveys show many are interested in that. The goal is a stable future, with security for Israel and growth for the region.”
He also acknowledged the importance of President Trump’s support. “He understood the need for military and diplomatic pressure. This is a different orchestra than the previous administration.”
On the subject of Israel-Turkey relations, Netanyahu noted, “Erdogan seeks to revive the Ottoman Empire. We will need to examine the relationship carefully.”
Finally, he praised the resilience of both the people and the military. “The people and the army proved remarkable strength. We changed the Middle East – from a weaker Iran to Arab states that understand Israel is a fact of life. We will continue to fight to ensure Israel’s security for generations.”
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