Netanyahu Reveals Attacker Pilot Under Investigation, Iran Nuclear Threat

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that the pilot involved in the attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight is currently under investigation. He stated that it will soon be determined if Iran had any connection to the incident, noting that "Ben-Zaid agreed that Israel would join the investigation." Netanyahu also addressed criticism regarding settler violence, the Iranian nuclear threat, and the situations in Gaza and Lebanon.

Recounting his personal experience in counter-terrorism, Netanyahu shared that he was injured during a hostage rescue and his brother was killed. He emphasized that while there was no specific warning about the Flydubai flight, Israel had intelligence indicating that Iran's proxies, Hezbollah and Hamas, were planning attacks against Israelis abroad. Netanyahu sharply criticized Britain for imposing sanctions on Israel shortly after receiving intelligence about Iranian-sponsored terror, calling their actions "unbelievable cynicism and hypocrisy."

Regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions, Netanyahu asserted that Tehran would pursue nuclear weapons at any cost and praised the pressure exerted by the Trump administration, which he claimed crippled the Revolutionary Guards' economy. He warned that without action, Iran would be on the verge of producing nuclear bombs, likening the situation to an untreated cancer that could return. He described Iran as a "mad regime" that calls for the death of Israel and America, reiterating that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains Israel's primary objective.

Netanyahu vehemently denied reports that Egypt and the UAE had warned Israel prior to the October 7th Hamas attack, labeling these claims as false. However, he unusually admitted to a significant intelligence failure, stating that intelligence assessments prior to the attack were completely reversed, with Hamas perceived as deterred and seeking economic benefits. He compared the situation to historical events like 9/11 and Pearl Harbor, emphasizing that the focus should be on the response rather than solely on the failure to foresee the event.

Addressing the issue of settler violence in the West Bank, Netanyahu dismissed the narrative as a "huge deception," characterizing the perpetrators as a small group of young offenders. He condemned their actions and stated that the Shin Bet is pursuing them. He argued against creating a false symmetry between the actions of these few individuals and Palestinian terrorism, citing thousands of lethal attacks against Jews in 2025. He contrasted Israel's condemnation of violence with the Palestinian Authority's alleged practice of rewarding terrorists.

Concluding the interview, Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces will remain in Gaza and Lebanon as long as the threat persists. He explained that the presence in Gaza is to ensure Hamas cannot repeat the October 7th massacre and that Gaza must be demilitarized and de-radicalized. He extended this to the northern front, stating that Israel remains in a security corridor in Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah attacks, describing both groups as Iranian proxies seeking Israel's destruction. He expressed hope that once these groups are defeated, a new era of peace and prosperity could emerge in the Middle East.