Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel’s wartime operations across multiple fronts had altered the regional balance of power, arguing that decisions once criticized as reckless had proved essential to national survival.
Speaking at the MUNI EXPO 2026 conference in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu defended Israeli action in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran, saying the country had rejected calls for restraint and instead moved against threats before they could deepen.
The prime minister said Israel would continue holding a security zone in southern Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah forces from threatening northern communities. He argued that while Hezbollah remains present in Lebanon, its ability to stage an assault into the Galilee has been disrupted. Recent reports indicate Israeli officials continue to insist that forces have not withdrawn from the area despite international discussions over possible arrangements in southern Lebanon.
Netanyahu also pointed to Israel’s campaign against Iran, describing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions as an existential danger to the Jewish state. He said he personally chose the name “Operation Rising Lion,” framing the campaign as a necessary act of national resolve.
The premier rebuked critics who opposed entering Rafah, striking Hezbollah, operating in Syria, or confronting Iran, saying many now fault Israel for not achieving total victory. Netanyahu acknowledged that work remains unfinished in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, but called the overall result “monumental.”
He also said Israel acted independently even when facing pressure from Washington. Netanyahu recalled telling former US President Joe Biden that Israel would enter Rafah despite objections, and said he informed President Donald Trump before launching the Iran operation rather than seeking permission.
The message was unmistakable: Israel, under siege from multiple fronts, would not subcontract its security decisions to foreign capitals or domestic critics.
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