Netanyahu Hails Israel’s Military Achievements, Vows Iran Will Never Obtain Nuclear Weapons.

Jerusalem:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a sweeping address at the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Combat Officers’ Graduation Ceremony at Training Base No. 1, praising the newly commissioned officers, highlighting Israel’s military achievements since the October 7 attack, and reiterating his government’s commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Addressing hundreds of graduating male and female officers, Netanyahu described them as the “command backbone” of the IDF and commended their dedication, courage, and sense of national duty.

“You are fulfilling the dream of generations, of a Hebrew army that is a fortress and a shield for our people,” he said. “Your strength guarantees the future of the nation. We are proud of you, and I rely on you.”

Tribute to Fallen Soldiers and Their Families

The Prime Minister began his speech by paying tribute to fallen Israeli soldiers, wounded service members, and bereaved families, saying their sacrifices have ensured Israel’s survival and independence.

“Thanks to the heroes who fell in battle, we have life, we have independence, we have revival,” Netanyahu said. He also acknowledged wounded soldiers, describing their determination during rehabilitation as “unbelievable.”

He thanked the families of the graduates for instilling values of patriotism, perseverance, and public service, saying they too deserved recognition for supporting Israel’s next generation of military commanders.

Officers Bring Battlefield Experience

Netanyahu noted that unlike previous generations of graduates, many of the new officers arrived at the academy with firsthand combat experience gained during the ongoing conflict.

“These questions are hardly asked anymore,” he said, referring to whether officers had ever experienced combat. “You arrived equipped with operational experience you acquired in the War of Redemption.”

Recalling his own military service in Israel’s elite General Staff Reconnaissance Unit, Netanyahu spoke emotionally about losing a close friend early in his career, drawing parallels with the experiences of many of the graduating officers.

‘We Changed the Face of the Middle East’

The Israeli leader described the conflict that began with the October 7 Hamas attack as a historic struggle comparable to Israel’s War of Independence.

He claimed Israel had fundamentally altered the strategic balance in the Middle East, saying that if someone had predicted on the second day of the war that Israel would eliminate key leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, strike deep inside Iran, and destroy significant military capabilities across the region, “it would have sounded like a fairy tale.”

According to Netanyahu, Israel has:

– Eliminated senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.
– Destroyed significant missile and weapons infrastructure.
– Expanded the operational reach of the Israeli Air Force into Iranian airspace.
– Weakened multiple armed groups across several fronts.

He credited these developments to the determination of Israeli soldiers, commanders, pilots, and the broader public.

Hostages and Continuing Operations

Netanyahu declared that Israel had succeeded in bringing home all of its hostages.

“We brought them all home, down to the very last one,” he said.

He also stated that Israel continues military operations against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian-backed threats, while claiming that Hamas has been significantly weakened.

Referring to a recent Israeli operation, Netanyahu said the killing of Hamas commander Izz al-Din al-Haddad drew no military response from the group, arguing this demonstrated the extent of Hamas’s diminished capabilities.

Iran Remains Central Focus

A major focus of Netanyahu’s address was Iran.

He asserted that recent Israeli military operations had removed what he described as an immediate existential threat by preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“There are more missions to complete. There are more things to do against Iran,” he said.

Reaffirming his long-standing position, Netanyahu declared:

“With an agreement or without an agreement, as long as I am the Prime Minister of Israel, Iran will not have nuclear weapons.”

Defending Security Policies

Netanyahu acknowledged that his government had faced significant international and domestic pressure during the conflict.

He claimed Israel continued military operations despite interruptions in ammunition supplies and criticism over decisions to expand operations into Rafah, southern Lebanon, Syria, and Iran.

“If we must, we will fight with our fingernails,” he said, recalling remarks he said he made to American officials during the war.

He credited the resilience of Israeli soldiers for giving the government confidence to withstand those pressures.

Territorial Control and Border Security

The Prime Minister said Israeli forces now control more than 60 percent of the Gaza Strip and have established buffer zones in southern Lebanon and Syria.

He also pledged that Israel would maintain its security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary.

“We moved from dominated areas to dominating areas, and we will maintain these territories for as long as required,” Netanyahu said.

He added that Israeli forces have complete operational freedom to respond to threats along Israel’s northern border.

Remembering Operation Entebbe

Netanyahu concluded by reflecting on his own graduation from the same officers’ academy and recalling his late brother, Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu, who was killed while commanding Israel’s famous 1976 Entebbe hostage rescue mission.

Marking the 50th anniversary of the operation, he described it as a symbol of Israel’s determination to combat terrorism and rescue its citizens.

“The rescue operation in Entebbe granted Israel and the Israel Defense Forces eternal glory in the war on terrorism,” he said.

Looking Ahead

Speaking about Israel’s future, Netanyahu argued that national strength would determine survival in an increasingly unstable region.

“The strong survive; there is no room for the weak,” he said, expressing confidence that Israel would be even stronger three decades from now because of the new generation of military leaders.

He concluded by telling the graduating officers that they now carry the responsibility of safeguarding Israel’s independence and future.

“You, the commanders, are guarding our independence and guaranteeing our future. You serve as a fortified wall for our country,” Netanyahu said, wishing the graduates success in their military careers.