Netanyahu Draws Red Lines on Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon: 'Israel's Security Is Not Up for Negotiation'

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu rejected reports of Israeli retreats, declaring Sunday that the country remains committed to its security interests. He stated that under his leadership, Israel will not allow a Palestinian state in Gaza or Judea and Samaria, and vowed that Iran will never obtain nuclear weapons.

At the weekly Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu addressed what he called "a wave of rumors about Israeli weakness and Israeli withdrawals on all fronts." He argued that Iran has avoided directly attacking Israel because it understands the consequences. "You have surely noticed an interesting point: Iran attacks all the countries in the region, and even outside the region, but there is one country it does not attack, the State of Israel," He said. "It has not attacked thus far; it might attack, but why have long weeks passed and it has not attacked us? Because it knows the massive blow we will inflict upon it if it does so."

Netanyahu expressed appreciation for President Donald Trump's support regarding Iran's nuclear program. "I greatly appreciate President Trump. He is the greatest of our friends in the White House," He said, adding: "With or without an agreement, as long as I am Prime Minister, Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. Because the existence of our precious country, the country of all of us, the existence of Israel, is not up for negotiation."

Regarding Lebanon, Netanyahu said Israel has conducted military operations against terrorist targets, including recent activity on the Ali Taher Ridge. "In recent days, Israel has acted with force in Lebanon, eliminating terrorists, including on the Ali Taher ridge," He stated, describing the effort as proceeding "prudently and wisely - with both determination and wisdom."

On Palestinian statehood, Netanyahu reiterated his opposition. "As long as I am Prime Minister, a Palestinian state will not be established, neither in Gaza nor in Judea and Samaria," He said.

Netanyahu stated that Israel has not accepted the 15-point Gaza framework from Trump's Board of Peace. "Israel does not accept the 15-point document," He said, emphasizing that Israel will not withdraw militarily from Gaza before Hamas is fully disarmed. "The IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is disarmed. And when I say the disarming of Hamas, it means heavy weaponry, lighter weaponry, all weaponry," He said, stressing "genuine disarmament, not fictitious disarmament."

He noted that discussions with the United States continue, with some American proposals acceptable and others not. "They have ideas, some of which are acceptable to us and some of which are unacceptable, and we know how to stand firm against these things," Netanyahu said.

He concluded that Israeli security and survival are non-negotiable. "The existence of Israel and the security of all Israeli citizens are not up for negotiation," He stated. "We do not do this in advertising agencies; we actually do it on the ground," He added, citing operations in Rafah, the Philadelphi Corridor, Lebanon, and against Iran.