‘We won't be dragged into war of attrition’ – PM Netanyahu says Israel is close to achieving war goals in Iran

Israel is close to achieving its war goals in Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, promising that Israel “will not be dragged into a war of attrition.” 

Speaking in a pre-recorded press conference on Sunday evening, Netanyahu began the briefing by speaking about the hope and faith of the Jewish nation, recalling his first official visit to Auschwitz after entering public office.

“When I was first elected to the government, I participated in the March of Life at the Auschwitz extermination camp. There I suddenly felt the need to wrap myself in a tallit (prayer shawl),” Netanyahu said. “I wrapped myself in it and said, ‘Hear O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one’,” quoting Deuteronomy 6:4. 

“Ten days ago, a few hours before setting out on the historic operation against the evil regime of Iran, I visited the Western Wall, and there too I suddenly felt the need to wrap myself in a tallit. I went to pray for the success of our heroic pilots, our excellent soldiers and commanders, for the security of our country, for the peace of our people. And then I wrote on a note that I placed between the stones of the Wall: "Look! the people will rise like a lioness; like a lion he raises himself,” Netanyahu said, referencing the name of Operation Rising Lion. 

Netanyahu said that he returned to the Western Wall in Jerusalem Sunday morning to offer prayers of thanks “for the unimaginable heroic act of the Israel Defense Forces and the Mossad…for the heroism of our people, your heroism, the citizens of Israel, on the home front, for what you do, with responsibility, discipline, and heroism.” 

He said he also offered prayers of thanks “for the unprecedented partnership with my close friend for decades, President Trump.” 

Reflecting on the cooperation between the two nations and their leaders, Netanyahu said, “We have realized that teamwork among ourselves and cooperation between our countries has reached unprecedented heights. President Trump said it well: ‘There has never been such teamwork between two leaders.’” 

Emphasizing that the nation does not “for one minute” forget the heavy price paid in Operation Rising Lion or in the broader war that began after Oct. 7, Netanyahu promised that Israel would continue to “invest full efforts” in both major fronts: “Eliminating the Iranian threat for the sake of the future of our children and future generations, and defeating Hamas while returning all of our hostages – living and dead – home.” 

“We are very focused on achieving the goals,” Netanyahu stated. “We will not continue the activity beyond what is necessary. We will not be dragged into a war of attrition. With the help of President Trump, we have come close to reaching the threat. I am convinced and with President Trump that the threat will be removed.” 

The prime minister also stated that Israel is concentrating on two primary threats in its conflict with Iran: “the nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat.”

“We are moving step by step towards achieving these goals. We are very, very close to completing them,” he added. 

Netanyahu returned to the subject of Gaza and the Israeli hostages being held by the Hamas terrorist organization.

"We don't take our eyes off Gaza for a moment. In just the last few days, we've returned eight. We're committed to returning them all.” 

He expressed his belief that “the action in Iran helps achieve the goal in Gaza.” 

Saying that “Iran has built the axis of death around us,” Netanyahu said, “Without Iran's scaffolding, this axis collapses.” 

“There is no Hezbollah and there is no Iran. As soon as this seeps into the ranks of Hamas, you reach the final stage of the decision [to end the war],” he stated. 

The war “could end tomorrow,” Netanyahu continued. “It could end today if Hamas surrenders, lays down all its arms, releases all the hostages. It’s over in a moment.” 

“We think we can give Gaza a different future.” 

Netanyahu expressed his belief that the successful completion of Rising Lion will also lead to the expansion of the Abraham Accords. 

“Israel's status is rising not only in the Middle East, but around the world. There is a tectonic change here, thanks to the decisions we made, thanks to your stance – the citizens of Israel,” he remarked. 

“Extraordinary opportunities are being opened up here. I can imagine a massive expansion of the peace agreements.” 

“I can see collaborations that might seem fantastical right now, but maybe you understand they’re not fantastical,” he continued. “We will see a bright future of security, of prosperity, of hope, and also of peace.” 

During a Q&A, Netanyahu was asked about the location of the 400 kilograms (880 pounds) of 60% enriched uranium that Iran claims to have moved before the U.S. strikes. 

“We’ve been following that very closely. I can tell you that it’s an important component of a nuclear program,” Netanyahu stated.

“It’s not the sole component. It’s not a sufficient component. But it is an important component and we have interesting intel on that, which you will excuse me if I don’t share with you.” 

The Israeli prime minister once again praised his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump in response to a question from an American news outlet. He noted that Israel had conveyed its concerns and said he trusted Trump to “do the right thing.”

“I told him of our need to act, and he understood it very well. And I knew that when push comes to shove, he would do the right thing,” Netanyahu noted. “He would do the right thing for America. He would do the right thing for the free world. He would do the right thing for civilization.” 

Netanyahu ended his remarks by once again invoking the Jewish faith and the help of the God of Israel.

“I want to say another thing. I said it, not jokingly, but I said it from the bottom of my heart and my belief that the most important work in the Knesset of Israel is with ‘the help of Heaven.’ We had tremendous heroism here from our soldiers, from our citizens, tremendous help from our friends, but there was also the peak of divine mercy from the Holy One, blessed be He, and for that I thank you on behalf of generations of Jews who waited to establish our state, and expected us to defend our future. This is what we do.”