Lebanon ceasefire ‘could be short,’ Gaza war will not end until goals achieved, Netanyahu says in rare Hebrew interview

Days after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was declared, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave his first Hebrew-language interview to the right-leaning Channel 14 news channel, explaining his reasoning for the ceasefire – a decision that was unpopular even among those within his voter base.

Netanyahu told Channel 14 journalist Yaakov Bardugo that he didn’t view the ceasefire as a permanent solution and cautioned that it would have to prove itself.

The ceasefire “could be short,” the prime minister said, noting that the IDF had already “enforced [the ceasefire] on its first day,” referencing the numerous incidents of Hezbollah operatives and civilians trying to return south.

“When they return, you will see what we are doing – we hurt them. This is true, it will be tested by the [Israeli] enforcement.”

The IDF’s ground operation had removed the “threat of a ground invasion [by Hezbollah],” and therefore, Netanyahu argued, there was no need to create a buffer zone in southern Lebanon, as many residents of northern Israel had demanded.

They will return “when they can do so safely. It will happen in stages.”

The prime minister noted that a similar situation occurred with residents of the Gaza Envelope – “not because we told them to come back, but because they feel it is safe.”

Netanyahu further argued that the ceasefire in the north had now created significantly better conditions for securing a hostage release deal with Hamas leaders in Gaza, as the terror group now feels isolated.

“Hamas hoped that Iran would come to save it, it didn't happen, it hoped that the Houthis would come to save it - it didn't happen; but above all, it hoped that Hezbollah would come to his rescue… [now] there is no Hezbollah.”

“That's why I think the conditions have changed very much for the better, not only because of the separation of the fronts but also because of the combination of things with the elimination of Sinwar,” Netanyahu said.

However, he reiterated that he would not agree to any deal with Hamas that would include an Israeli commitment to end the war in Gaza before its goals were achieved.

“I will not let any party in Gaza rearm, so the goal in the north is different from the goal in the south, and the conditions are different in the north compared to the south. But the answer is clear: I am ready for a ceasefire in the south, which we think we can achieve the release of the hostages.”

Netanyahu also mentioned that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump had assured him there would be no more delays in weapon shipments from the United States.

“I can say that I am sure they will reach us. It is possible that they will reach us right now, during the transition period of the administrations, but President Trump has already told me unequivocally that there will be no delay of any weapons,” he stressed.

During the wide-ranging interview, Netanyahu, for the first time, took responsibility for the mysterious beeper explosions that rocked Lebanon in September.

“I thought the ‘Liechtenstein operation’ was a ‘strategic opening’ of what the Americans call ‘huge shock’," he said, referencing Israel's tendency to speculate whether covert operations, for which Israel avoids taking responsibility, might have been carried out by Liechtenstein.

The Israeli prime minister continued: “Some thought otherwise, and I forced my opinion. Then I thought that the right thing to do, in addition to the elimination of the various leaders, is to achieve the elimination of the bulk of the rocket and missile stockpile of Hezbollah and Hamas.”

“I instructed the IDF to concentrate on this, but Nasrallah thought he had immunity because a large part of this stockpile was in civilian homes. Within 48 hours they came up with an outstanding plan.”