Jerusalem, 5 April, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday congratulated U.S. President Donald Trump and the American military after U.S. forces rescued a downed U.S. airman from Iran, praising what he called an “incredible rescue” by “America’s dauntless warriors.” In an English-language video statement, Netanyahu said “all Israelis rejoice” at the operation, adding that “when free societies muster their courage and their resolve, they can confront seemingly insurmountable odds and overcome the forces of darkness and terror.”
Netanyahu also said the rescue “reinforces the sacred principle: no one is left behind,” calling it a shared value in the history of both countries. His remarks came after U.S. special forces rescued the second crew member from an F-15 shot down over Iran, in what President Trump described as one of the boldest search-and-rescue missions in U.S. history. Reuters reported that the rescued serviceman was a weapons officer who had been injured but was recovering.