Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Israel will be the first country in the world to solve the global issue of explosive drones during a speech at the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel Conference on Wednesday.
Touting Israel’s military success thus far against Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah, which often launches explosive drones towards Israeli territory and IDF troops operating in southern Lebanon, Netanyahu stated that Israeli efforts against the terrorist group have been “unbelievable.”
“Today, there is a security zone there that prevents Hezbollah and its remnants from invading the Galilee, because that was the plan. We are destroying all of this underground infrastructure,” Netanyahu stated.
Israeli progress against hostile actors comes despite global pressure to stand down
He continued to describe that much of Israel’s progress against hostile actors in the region has come despite global pressure to halt military operations.
“If we had followed the suggestion to stop at Rafah, we would have gotten nada, zero, nothing. That is not who we are.”
Netanyahu continued to describe that Israel has accomplished “what no one believed we would do,” especially regarding operations against Iran.
“I have dedicated most of my adult life to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu said. “They told us: 'A military operation in Iran? You are forbidden from doing that.' 'Eliminating the leadership of Iran? No, no, not that,’ so I did not listen to them.”
Israel has no choice but to fight, Netanyahu says
Netanyahu asserted that Israel has no choice but to fight, even if it means losing global support.
He claimed that prior to launching Operation Roaring Lion against Iran, he informed US President Donald Trump of his plans but did not ask for permission.
Netanyahu stated that he told Trump, “We are going into Iran, because I am not waiting for these oppressors who declare openly that they want to destroy us… I will not let that happen.”
Netanyahu acknowledged that while there is more to be done in Lebanon against Hezbollah, in Gaza against Hamas, and against the threat posed by Iran, progress has been made.
“When you are tested on the ground, just as our commanders are tested on the ground, then the only thing that speaks is the result. And the result is monumental,” he continued.