Israel’s Security Comes First, But US Ties Matter: Netanyahu's Message Amid Differences With Trump

Last Updated:June 20, 2026, 14:05 IST

Netanyahu further said Israel would maintain its hold over areas it has secured and vowed to continue military operations against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed the need to safeguard Israel’s security while maintaining close ties with the United States, saying the relationship with Washington remains important even as Israel pursues its strategic objectives.

“We must firmly protect our security interests while preserving the important connection with our American friends. We will continue to navigate our path with wisdom and sound judgment," he said.

Reaffirming his long-term vision, Netanyahu said, “Our path began thousands of years ago, and with God’s help it will continue to eternity. The Eternity of Israel."

Netanyahu further said Israel would maintain its hold over areas it has secured and vowed to continue military operations against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Stressing the country’s historical ties to the land, Netanyahu said, “The people of Israel have returned home, and the people of Israel will remain here forever. Because this is our land. It is ours."

“We have returned, we have returned to the place from which we came, to the path on which our forefathers walked."

Speaking about the conflict in Gaza, Netanyahu said Israel had tightened pressure on Hamas and currently controlled more than 60 per cent of the territory. “We are tightening our grip on Hamas in Gaza, where we hold more than 60% of the territory of the Strip," he said.

Referring to Lebanon, the Israeli Prime Minister said Hezbollah’s missile capabilities had been severely weakened. “And in Lebanon, we pushed back the threat of a ground invasion against our communities and broke Hezbollah’s missile capability.

There is still more work to do in both places," he added.

Israel Continues Attacks On Lebanon

Israel continued carrying out attacks in Lebanon despite reports of a new ceasefire with Hezbollah, fuelling concerns that the fragile truce linked to broader efforts to end hostilities in West Asia could come under strain.

US and Gulf officials separately told news agencies on Friday that the ceasefire was scheduled to take effect at 4 pm local time (13:00 GMT). The agreement was reportedly brokered by Qatar, the United States and Iran, to prevent the escalation in Lebanon from undermining wider efforts to transform the interim US-Iran agreement into a lasting regional peace arrangement.

However, reports from southern Lebanon said at least 12 Israeli air raids and continued artillery shelling took place after the deadline. Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) said an Israeli drone strike killed two people riding a motorcycle in southern Lebanon after the ceasefire had come into effect.

A Gulf diplomat, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said Israel and Hezbollah had “agreed to halt hostilities". Meanwhile, the Lebanese health ministry said Israeli attacks that began at midnight and continued throughout Friday killed at least 47 people and injured 97 others.

News world Israel’s Security Comes First, But US Ties Matter: Netanyahu's Message Amid Differences With Trump

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