Israel’s broader objectives and response readiness: Netanyahu reaffirmed that Israel will not back down from its wartime goals: “We will achieve all the war’s objectives. Accusations of genocide are false. They are spread by anti-semitic groups.”

Following heightened tension over Gaza and Iran, Netanyahu convened an urgent meeting with the heads of the IDF, Mossad, and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) at 7:00 p.m. Israel time.

He warned of the challenges ahead: “Great challenges still lie ahead of us, from our enemies who seek to rearm. Anyone who tries to harm us will pay a heavy price.”