From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Netanyahu: If Iran attacks, they will face a response they can’t imagine
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
As US and Israeli preparations for a possible strike on Iran continue, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issues a sharp threat to Tehran’s leaders, should they fire missiles at Israel.
“We are prepared for any scenario,” he says at an IDF cadets graduation ceremony, “and one thing is certain — if the ayatollahs make a mistake and attack us, they will face a response that they can’t even imagine.”
Netanyahu says that Israel is “operating side by side with our major ally, the United States” to face the Iranian threat.
He says that in his meeting last week, he gave US President Donald Trump “Israel’s position on the guiding principles for any talks with Iran.”
Turning to Gaza, Netanyahu promises that Hamas will be disarmed and Gaza will be demilitarized. He stresses that “there will be no rehabilitation of the Strip before the demilitarization of the Strip.”
“Very soon, Hamas will face a dilemma — to give up its weapons the easy way, or to give up its weapons the hard way,” Netanyahu declares.
Netanyahu says that demilitarized zones or security zones inside enemy territory “are a vital need in order to minimize the danger of a ground invasion.” He notes with pride that IDF troops are still in Syria and Lebanon.
The Times of Israel Community.