Citizens of Israel,
We are at the end of the third week of Operation ‘Lion’s Roar’. I, along with all IDF commanders, feel the weight of responsibility on our shoulders every day, and the price you, on the home front, are paying with courage and patience. Unfortunately, we are also experiencing painful civilian casualties from missile attacks. Our hearts are with the deceased, the wounded, and their families.
The patience you demonstrate is a critical component of our national strength. Without your strong backing, our fighters would not be able to operate with power and determination. Many have already counted our tactical achievements in the past week; my counterparts from across the region are sending me messages of appreciation and astonishment at our defensive, offensive, and unique intelligence capabilities.
They fully understand the magnitude of the threat and are asking us to persevere in removing the danger. The extensive damage we have inflicted on the Iranian regime in the last three weeks is beginning to accumulate into a systemic-strategic, military, economic, and governmental achievement.
As a result, the regime of evil is weaker, Iran is more exposed and without significant defensive capabilities. The leaders of the regime, who developed capabilities with the aim of destroying us, are beaten and confused.
I wish to thank again my partners from the United States military. I am in close, daily contact with them as part of the war room. The trust between us is high; we share a common target bank, and our military plans are synchronized and coordinated.
The strategic partnership with our ally is a tremendous and unprecedented strength in this campaign. There is a shared interest here – a commitment to removing an existential threat, from Israel, from the United States, and from the entire region. Just yesterday, Iran launched a two-stage intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 4,000 kilometers towards an American target on Diego Garcia.
These missiles are not intended to harm Israel. Their range reaches the capitals of Europe – Berlin, Paris, and Rome are all within direct threat range. We have learned from world and Jewish history that denying a threat or groveling before it does not make it disappear – on the contrary, it projects weakness and encourages extremist regimes.
He who does not confront a threat at its inception will become its hostage in the future. The possession of lethal strategic capabilities by radical dictatorial regimes poses a danger not only to Israel but a danger to the world. The United States, with its leadership and its mighty military, protects the entire free world.
Alongside the powerful campaign we are conducting against Iran, we are also leading a determined fight on our northern border. This morning I visited Metula and Kiryat Shmona, met with local authority heads, and listened to the challenges they face. Today, I approved the plans for the continuation of the fighting for the Northern Command. I met with the division and brigade commanders. We are all determined to fundamentally change the security reality on the northern border.
There is no more containment!
There is initiative!
There is offensiveness!
Our forces will stand as a barrier between the enemy and the communities, and any target that poses a threat to them will be removed. Our actions in Iran weaken Hezbollah. In Iran’s service, Hezbollah is destroying Lebanon and dragged it into war. The current campaign will advance our strategic objective of disarming Hezbollah.
Dear citizens of Israel – we are halfway there, but the direction is clear. In about a week, on Passover, the holiday of freedom, we will continue to fight for our freedom and our future. I met with one of the squadron commanders this week when he returned from a sortie in Iran; he told me that his mother told him she was worried and wished the war would end.
He, in turn, answered her that if she truly cared for him and his children – it would be better for the campaign to continue until we complete the mission, for our future and the future of generations to come. This spirit of mothers and fathers also exists in countless homes of servicemen and women – the families of those on the front lines of defense who are guarding the home, while also deeply concerned, you too are the heroes of ‘Lion’s Roar’.
The IDF continues its extensive operational activity.
With determination and responsibility, we will lead to victory!
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