Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended the nation's ongoing military operations against Iran, as well as militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah, asserting that these entities no longer represent major threats as a result of Israel’s persistent actions.
Netanyahu expressed these views during a visit to the IDF Northern Command on Sunday, accompanied by Defence Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.
He stated, “Iran is not the same Iran, Hezbollah is not the same Hezbollah, and Hamas is not the same Hamas,” characterizing the three groups as weakened and struggling.
The Prime Minister commended Israeli military leaders for their efforts in what he referred to as a “multi-arena campaign,” indicating that Israel had ramped up both its defensive and offensive strategies to thwart potential attacks.
Netanyahu noted that the implementation of “immense force” against Iran and its partners has resulted in what he described as “great accomplishments,” highlighting observable fractures within the leadership of Tehran.
He specifically mentioned the elimination of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in 2024, claiming that this action had considerably diminished the organization’s military capabilities.
“We eliminated Nasrallah and thousands of Hezbollah fighters. We also neutralized a significant threat, approximately 150,000 missiles and rockets aimed at Israeli cities,” he stated.
Despite these comments, Netanyahu acknowledged that Hezbollah retains some ability to launch rockets, emphasizing that ongoing discussions with military leaders are aimed at completely removing this threat.
In the meantime, reports from Israeli media suggest that the government is contemplating the possibility of inviting the United States to relocate some of its military bases in the Middle East to Israel and to establish new military installations following the conflict.
These developments have drawn criticism from European leaders, particularly regarding allegations that Israeli authorities barred Catholics from celebrating Palm Sunday in Jerusalem.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned this action as an unwarranted restriction on religious freedom, stating, “We condemn this unjustified attack on religious freedom and demand that Israel respect the diversity of beliefs and adhere to international law.”
Similarly, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has criticized the reported decision, asserting it violates the established status quo governing Jerusalem’s sacred sites and stressing the importance of allowing individuals of all faiths to worship freely without fear.
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