Netanyahu Vows to Eliminate Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran Within Two Years
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to eliminate Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran within two years, stating 90% of the work is complete. He addressed intelligence failures leading to the October 7th attack, comparing them to U.S. historical events. Former National Security Advisor Gadi Eisenkot placed blame on both security and political leadership. Netanyahu also clashed with Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over the Defense Minister portfolio for a future government.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu aims to eliminate Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran within two years.
- Netanyahu claims 90% of the work against these groups is already completed.
- He attributed intelligence failures before the October 7th attack to an oversight regarding Gaza.
- Former National Security Advisor Gadi Eisenkot stated responsibility lies with both security and political leadership.
- Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed his intention to seek the Defense Minister position in a future government.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in an interview that Israel's enemies are attempting to launch attacks to disrupt his success in upcoming elections. He declared his intention to complete the campaign against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran within the next two years, asserting that 90% of the work is done. "Our enemies want to attack us these days, Iran's proxies want to fire rockets, carry out attacks," Netanyahu said, adding that "in the next two years, we will eliminate Hamas definitively, we will eliminate Hezbollah definitively, we will bring down Iran."
Netanyahu also addressed the October 7th Hamas attack, claiming that all security bodies had overlooked Gaza as a potential flashpoint, though other reports indicated Gaza was mentioned in security warnings. He compared intelligence failures to those in the U.S., such as 9/11 and Pearl Harbor, to deflect calls for his resignation. He suggested that if alerted before the attack, he would have taken immediate action, including mobilizing reserve units and the air force.
Former National Security Advisor Gadi Eisenkot responded that responsibility for the failure lies with both security officials and the political echelon, but noted Netanyahu is seeking public trust again. Eisenkot recalled Netanyahu telling him after his appointment to the government, "You saved us yesterday."
Regarding the position of Defense Minister in a future government, Netanyahu stated it should remain with Likud, dismissing Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's aspirations. Ben-Gvir countered that the role would go to Eisenkot in a broad national unity government or to himself in a full right-wing government, emphasizing his intention to demand the post and advocating for policies like dismantling the Palestinian Authority and implementing a voluntary migration plan for Gazans and West Bank residents.
Member of Knesset Naor Shiri criticized the interview itself, accusing Netanyahu of harming free press and using the platform to spread incitement and lies.
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