Speaking before the Knesset in a particularly lively session, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed cautious optimism about the prospects of a hostage deal with Hamas.
“I would like to tell you carefully that there is some progress,” he said, citing three main reasons: “Sinwar is no longer with us, Hamas was hoping that Hezbollah and Iran would come to their help but they are licking their wounds, and Hamas itself is suffering more and more blows.” However, he remained evasive on the timetable: “I don't know how long it will take.”
Regarding Israel's military successes, Netanyahu stressed that they are “changing the face of the Middle East.” “Our series of successes and victories inspire enormous respect in our region and around the world,” he said, adding that even Israel's enemies recognize the scale of its achievements.
On the Yemeni front, the prime minister warned that recent strikes against the Houthis “are not the first and will not be the last.” He also reaffirmed Israel's vigilance against Iran, emphasizing his country's determination to “prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and other weapons that could threaten our cities.”
Netanyahu has also been optimistic about the prospects for regional peace, rejecting the idea that peace with Arab countries depends on a deal with the Palestinians. “There will be more agreements,” he predicted, referring to the “tectonic” changes underway in the region. He said Israel's success in the current war “creates opportunities to expand the circle of peace,” with moderate Arab countries now seeing Israel as “a regional power and potential ally.”
