Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Local Government Conference on Wednesday that he informed U.S. President Donald Trump about Israel’s strike on Iran without asking for approval. Speaking at length about wartime decision-making, he said the operation, “With All Your Might,” was aimed at Iran itself, not only its proxies, and that Israel acted with complete strategic independence.
According to Netanyahu, “I did not ask Trump for permission for the strike in Iran, I informed him.” He added, “I simply informed him of our plan. Fortunately, he also joined toward the end.” He said this showed Israel’s room to maneuver even with its closest ally, and reflected a broader shift in regional deterrence.
Netanyahu also said Israel will remain in the security strip in southern Lebanon while he is in office. He argued that the military presence beyond the border is essential to protect Galilee residents and prevent Hezbollah from invading, saying there is now a buffer zone that “does not allow Hezbollah to invade the Galilee, because that was the plan.”
He said that even in October 2023 he understood the war as part of a wider struggle against Iran and its axis, and that Israel had to deal with each front separately. He also described heavy domestic and international pressure to halt the ground campaign in Gaza before taking Rafah and the Philadelphi Corridor, saying proposals would have left Hamas with military and governing power and created a “framed victory.” Netanyahu said the U.S. threatened to stop weapons shipments if Israel entered Rafah, but he replied that Israel would go in anyway, “and if needed we will fight with our nails.” He said the current situation shows the gamble paid off, claiming Israel now controls nearly 70% of Gaza and is “choking Hamas.”
