Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delivered a resolute address on Monday, asserting the Israel’s unprecedented strength and declaring a decisive victory in its decades-long struggle against Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional proxies.
Natanyahu’s statement, however, comes against the backdrop of significant international scrutiny and mounting
humanitarian concerns arising from the recent conflicts and announced US-Iran Peace Deal.
Recalled that the Israeli Prime Minister previously stated that Israel is “not a party” to U.S.-Iran peace deal and reports indicates Israeli military operations in Lebanon, with deadly strikes reported in Beirut just hours before the deal announcement.
Netanyahu framed the prevention of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons as his life’s mission, emphasizing that “Iran will not have nuclear weapons. Not today, and not tomorrow. As long as I am Prime Minister of Israel ‒ this will not happen.”
He highlighted the success of Operation Rising Lion and Operation Roaring Lion, and joint US-Israeli military campaigns launched in February 2026, which he credited with dismantling Iran’s nuclear
program and terror infrastructure.
“What have we achieved?! We have fended off an immediate threat of annihilation,” Netanyahu declared, detailing extensive damage inflicted upon Iran’s economy, estimated in hundreds of billions, possibly up to a trillion dollars.
He asserted that these operations saved Israel from “mass death” and “nuclear annihilation,” particularly as Iran was reportedly racing towards a nuclear weapon before Operation Rising Lion.
The Prime Minister enumerated a series of military successes, including the neutralization of nuclear scientists, decapitation of terror regime leaders, pulverization of nuclear facilities, and destruction of missiles and their manufacturing sites.
He also claimed the elimination of key Hamas leaders like Deif, Haniyeh, and Sinwar, the return of all hostages from Gaza, and the destruction of Hezbollah’s rocket arsenal and key positions.
Netanyahu stated that Israel has established deep security zones in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, and will maintain them “for as long as it is required to defend our country”.
He underscored a shift in Israel’s security doctrine: “We broke the barrier of fear. We take initiative, we attack, we surprise, and we strike at those who threaten our lives.”
However, these military operations have drawn significant international criticism and resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis.
The 2026 Iran War, which commenced on February 28, 2026, with the US-Israeli airstrikes, has led to thousands of civilian deaths and millions displaced across the region.
Reports indicate that US-Israeli airstrikes damaged military bases, govt buildings, schools, hospitals, and heritage sites in Iran, while Iranian retaliatory strikes targeted civilian areas in Israel and several Arab countries.
Refugees International highlighted the “cataclysmic civilian harm” and “flagrant disregard for civilian safety” by all sides, citing incidents such as an apparent US strike on a school in Minab, Iran, which killed an estimated 175 people, mostly children.
The organization also noted the systematic removal of safeguards to prevent civilian harm by the US Pentagon and concerns about the reliance on AI models for targeting.
The human toll extends beyond immediate casualties. Millions have been displaced, with over a million Lebanese civilians fleeing their homes and 3.2 million Iranians becoming internally displaced.
The conflict has also caused significant environmental damage, including black rain over Tehran due to strikes on oil facilities, leading to health issues and
contaminated food supplies.
Economically, the war has been devastating. The cost to the US military was estimated at nearly US$29 billion by May 2026, with Arab countries incurring an estimated US$120 billion in costs. Iran estimated its economic damage to be between $300 billion and $1 trillion.
Netanyahu, however, announced a plan to invest 350 billion NIS (approximately $118 billion) over the next decade to strengthen the Israel’s domestic arms industry, emphasizing self-reliance and technological development.
Despite the achievements he outlined, Netanyahu acknowledged that “the struggle is not over and done.”
He called for continued vigilance and determination, not only against Iran
but also its proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Judea and Samaria.
Natanyahu concluded with a message of strength and unity, quoting “Fear not, O Jacob My servant, and be not dismayed, O Israel!” and vowing to ensure Israel’s eternity.
