From the Liveblog of
Monday, November 18, 2024
Netanyahu: Israel will reevaluate its ability to act against Iran’s nuclear program once Trump takes office
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Israel’s ability to act against Iran’s nuclear program “will be reevaluated” together with the White House once Donald Trump takes office in January, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
He tells the group that Israel’s decision to refrain from attacking “certain targets” in Iran in response to ballistic missile attacks was not made because of an American ultimatum, according to the Knesset readout of the meeting.
Netanyahu tells the lawmakers that efforts to reach a hostage deal with Hamas are still taking place.
Netanyahu says Israel is still looking to close deals to release a small number of hostages, and that Israel is offering money and safe passage for Gaza who release hostages they are holding.
He tells the lawmakers that Hamas continues to insist that the IDF withdraw fully and that Hamas remain the ruler of the Gaza Strip, and that he will not accept those terms.
Netanyahu notes that Israel has made significant progress in destroying Hamas’s military, but only “partial progress” in destroying its ruling capacity, especially the distribution of humanitarian aid.
The Times of Israel Community.