Defense Minister Katz:
“The President of the United States is currently leading an agreement with Iran based on American interests — which include the shared interest with Israel of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons — and we expect him to uphold this principle, as well as additional principles regarding missiles and terror proxies.
Together, we have dealt Iran heavy blows that set its capabilities back many years.
Israel must ensure that in the future we will continue to have the ability to act independently to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have instructed the IDF to prepare accordingly.
Israel will not withdraw from the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, or Gaza. The IDF will continue to defend our borders and citizens from Mount Hermon, the Lebanese mountains, the regions of Samaria, and most of Gaza — against the threats of jihadist forces and organizations, as a central lesson from the events of October 7.
The IDF will not withdraw from the terror camps in northern Samaria, which have been evacuated of residents, and if necessary, this step will be expanded to include additional terror camps.
Our security doctrine is sharp and clear: we act against threats both near and far, and we strive for decisive outcomes rather than compromises or concessions.
Much is at stake during this period, and we are determined to continue leading a strong security policy that will prevent harm to our achievements and will not endanger our ability to fight against the Shiite axis of evil led by Iran and the Sunni axis of evil led by the Muslim Brotherhood.
I wish to express great appreciation to the IDF command for their major achievements, and to our heroic soldiers in regular service, in career service, and in the reserves — for their courageous fight for Israel’s security — and to the residents of the north for their steadfastness, which gives the IDF the strength to continue defending their safety.
I send a big embrace to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones, and I wish a full recovery — physically and mentally — to all the wounded who gave of themselves for the defense of Jewish lives and the security of the State of Israel.”