Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Gives Conditions on Ceasefire

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s has addressed the press saying the duration of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon.

“We will enforce the agreement and respond with force to any violation. We will continue together until victory.”

“Citizens of Israel,
I promised you victory—and we will achieve it.

“We will complete the eradication of Hamas, return all of our captives, ensure that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel, and safely return the residents of the north to their homes.

“This war will not end until we achieve all its objectives, including the safe return of northern residents to their homes. I assure you—it will happen, just as it did in the south.

My friends, residents of the north,
I am proud of you. I am proud of your resilience—and I am fully committed to your security, the rehabilitation of your communities, and your future.

Thus far, thanks to the bravery of our fighters in the IDF, the Shin Bet, the Mossad, and the Israeli Police, we have achieved tremendous successes on the seven fronts of the ‘Restoration War.’

These achievements have garnered admiration and awe around the world, projecting Israel’s strength across the Middle East:

First—the head of the octopus—Iran. We have destroyed significant portions of its air defense systems and missile production capabilities and eliminated a substantial component of its nuclear program.
I am determined to do whatever is necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

This threat has always been my top priority, and today it is even more pressing, given Iran’s repeated declarations of its intent to acquire nuclear arms. For me, neutralizing this threat is the most critical mission to secure Israel’s existence and future.

In Gaza, we dismantled Hamas brigades, killed approximately 20,000 terrorists, eliminated Sinwar, al-Deif, and other senior figures, and brought back 154 of our captives. We are committed to bringing all the remaining captives home—101 individuals still in Gaza, both living and deceased—and ending their families’ unimaginable suffering. Naturally, we are also committed to completing the eradication of Hamas.

In Judea and Samaria, we are neutralizing hundreds of terrorists, destroying terror infrastructures, and operating in all strongholds of terror. There is no place we do not reach.

In Yemen, we struck Houthi-held Hudaydah port with force—something the international coalition had not achieved before.

In Iraq, we successfully thwarted and continue to thwart numerous drone attacks, and we face ongoing challenges there as well.

In Syria, we are systematically disrupting Iran’s, Hezbollah’s, and the Syrian army’s efforts to transfer weapons to Lebanon. Assad must understand—he is playing with fire.

And now, the seventh front—Lebanon. Hezbollah chose to attack us on October 8. A year has passed—it is no longer the same Hezbollah. We’ve set it back decades. We’ve eliminated Nasrallah, the linchpin of the axis, along with the organization’s senior leadership, destroyed most of its missiles and rockets, killed thousands of fighters, and obliterated the underground and terror infrastructures near our border—structures built over years.

We attacked strategic targets throughout Lebanon, toppling dozens of terror towers in Dahiya. The ground shakes in Beirut.

Citizens of Israel,
Three months ago, all of this would have sounded like science fiction. But it’s not—it’s reality. We did this.

Let me tell you—at every moment in managing this campaign, I look at all the fronts simultaneously. This was my approach at the start of the war when I chose to focus on Gaza without opening a wide second front in Lebanon. This was my approach months ago when the conditions ripened for us to move north and focus on Hezbollah.

This was my approach following the missile attack from Iran when we carefully chose the timing and nature of our response.

And this is my approach today. I see the full picture across all fronts. I am determined to provide our heroic soldiers with every means necessary to protect their lives and secure our victory.

Therefore, citizens of Israel,
Tonight, I will present the cabinet with a framework for a ceasefire in Lebanon. The duration of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon.

In full coordination with the United States, we are maintaining complete military freedom of action. If Hezbollah violates the agreement or attempts to rearm, we will strike. If it tries to rebuild terror infrastructure near the border, we will strike. If it fires a rocket, digs a tunnel, or brings in a truck carrying missiles—we will strike.

I hear the claim that if we agree to a ceasefire, we won’t be able to attack or renew the fighting. I remind you—that’s exactly what was said when we agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate the release of our captives. They said we wouldn’t resume fighting. We resumed fighting—and how.

Some say Hezbollah will remain quiet for a year or two, rearm, and then attack us. But Hezbollah will violate the ceasefire not only by firing at us but also by attempting to rearm for future attacks. We will respond with force to any violation.

I know there are skeptics who doubt we’ll follow through. But many doubted we would launch a ground operation in Gaza—and we did. They doubted we’d enter Shifa and Khan Yunis—and we did. They doubted we’d press into Rafah and Philadelphi under immense international pressure—and we didn’t just enter; we struck—and how. Many also doubted we’d attack Lebanon—but we did, with overwhelming power and sophistication that stunned the world.

So, after all this, perhaps it’s time to believe—to believe in our determination, our path, and our commitment to victory.

Why opt for a ceasefire now? There are three main reasons:

First—focusing on the Iranian threat. I won’t elaborate further.

Second—replenishing and refreshing our forces. I’ll be frank, as this is no secret: there were significant delays in the supply of weapons and munitions. This bottleneck is about to clear. We will acquire advanced weaponry that will safeguard our soldiers and provide us with additional firepower to complete our missions.

Third—isolating Hamas by neutralizing other fronts. Since the war’s second day, Hamas has relied on Hezbollah joining the fight. With Hezbollah out of the equation, Hamas stands alone. Our pressure on them will increase, aiding the sacred mission of freeing our captives.

Citizens of Israel,
In the past year, we have turned the tide. Attacked on seven fronts, we responded with force. We are reshaping the Middle East. All of this is achieved thanks to our heroic soldiers, your steadfast resilience, and the firm, calculated management of this war.

I’ve said it many times: a good agreement is one that is enforced—and we will enforce it.

With God’s help, we will strengthen our security, rejuvenate the north, and continue together until victory!”

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