Netanyahu: The Islamic Republic was 'surprised' by its weapons' failure to attack Israel

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, stated regarding the Israeli military operation in Rafah that this operation is necessary to 'protect the lives of the people' of Israel. In an interview with CNBC on Wednesday, he emphasized that Israel cannot face a future where Gaza remains under Hamas control. Netanyahu described such a scenario as 'not only a major victory for Hamas but also a major victory for the terrorist axis' of the Islamic Republic. He stated that the Islamic Republic is trying to 'entrap us with a deadly rope of which Hamas is a part.' Netanyahu stressed that victory over Hamas is considered a victory over the Islamic Republic of Iran, predicting that this operation could last several weeks. In another part of his remarks about the recent missile attack by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Israel, he noted that the Islamic Republic was 'surprised by the failure of its weapons to penetrate Israel. They were sure they would [infiltrate Israel].' The Israeli Prime Minister praised the international support from the United States, stating: 'It was Israeli technology that... prevented this, but it is also said that we were able to surprise them in other instances.' He also mentioned Hezbollah, stating that no one should underestimate Israel's resolve or ability to defend itself. Netanyahu further commented on the ongoing wars and the Islamic Republic's support for Hezbollah and Hamas, saying: 'I think ultimately... we must confront Iran.' He emphasized that confronting the Islamic Republic, pushing back its aggressions, and preventing it from acquiring nuclear weapons 'is not only in Israel's interest; it is in the interest of the United States and all moderate Arab countries.' Yoav Gallant, Israel's Defense Minister, stated on Wednesday at a press conference in Tel Aviv that Israelis who have left their homes in the north of the country will return either by agreement or through military operations. The rocket fire from Hezbollah, which has continued alongside the war in Gaza, has caused thousands of Israelis in the north of the country, near the Lebanese border, to leave their homes. Netanyahu also stressed the importance of Israelis returning to their homes, stating they left due to Hezbollah's actions. According to Haaretz, following sirens that sounded in northern Israel on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces announced that about ten launches from Lebanon were identified, one of which landed in an open area. The newspaper also reported that a 38-year-old civilian from a kibbutz in northern Israel was killed on Tuesday following an anti-tank missile fired towards northern Israel. Gallant commented on Israel's disagreement with the U.S. regarding the military operation in Rafah, saying: 'We resolve disagreements in closed rooms, not in interviews or quotes.' The U.S. has asked Israel not to conduct major military operations in the densely populated Rafah area. According to reports from the Israeli army radio on Wednesday morning, Yoav Gallant ordered the Israeli army commander to prepare to shut down the Qatari Al Jazeera network in the West Bank. Following the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of more than 250 others, Israel launched its assault on Gaza aimed at destroying this Islamist group supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran and returning the hostages. Hamas officials have repeatedly stated since the October 7 terrorist attack that they would carry out such an attack again if capable. The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have listed Hamas as a terrorist organization. The UN Secretary-General expressed concern over Israel's military operations in Rafah; the situation in the region has worsened. The 'United Against a Nuclear Iran' group called for a 'credible military threat' against the Islamic Republic. The UN corrected the casualty figures in Gaza; there was a significant exaggeration in the numbers announced by Hamas. Israeli tanks have entered more areas in Rafah.