Netanyahu: ‘We are changing the strategic reality in the Middle East’; enemies again see ‘powerful’ Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stresses that “difficult days are still ahead” following the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut on Friday, and ties New Hope leader Gideon Sa’ar’s reentry into the government to recent developments in the fight against the terror group, as well as the war against Hamas in Gaza.

“We are changing the strategic reality in the Middle East,” Netanyahu says in a joint press conference with Sa’ar. “The change in the balance of power brings with it the possibility of creating new alliances in our region, because Israel is winning. Our enemies and our friends are back to seeing Israel as it is — a strong, determined and powerful country.”

“But I tell you, citizens of Israel, these are also challenging days,” the premier continues. “Because even in these days, we should not forget that we are still in the midst of a difficult war, the costs of which are heavy…the cohesion of the ranks is a necessary condition for us to stand firm in these challenging days.”

Praising Sa’ar for “rising to the magnitude of the hour,” Netanyahu says his decision to rejoin the government as a minister without a portfolio “contributes to internal unity, and unity against our enemies.”