Netanyahu tells Knesset Israel facing “very complex, difficult days” amid Iran tensions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered an unusually brief address to the Knesset on Monday evening, saying the country is facing “very complex and difficult days”.

Speaking during a plenary session convened under the so-called “40 signatures” procedure, initiated by the opposition under the title “Loss of security control inside and outside Israel’s borders”, Netanyahu addressed rising tensions with Iran and the large-scale deployment of US forces in the Middle East amid preparations for a possible strike.

In a markedly shorter speech than usual, he said: “We are in very complex and extremely difficult days, full of challenges for the life of the state. No one knows what tomorrow will bring. We are vigilant and prepared for every scenario. I have made it clear to the Ayatollah regime that if they make the gravest mistake in their history and attack the State of Israel, we will respond with a force they cannot even imagine.”

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Netanyahu added: “Over the past two and a half years, we have removed every threat from Israel’s citizens. Israel has never been stronger than it is now, and the alliance with the United States has never been closer. The relations between me and President Donald Trump, and between our security forces, have never been stronger. The whole world knows Israel’s strength.”

He called for unity and urged Israelis to “stand shoulder to shoulder”, stressing that “this is not a time for internal disputes”. He expressed confidence in the Israeli military and the public, particularly as the Jewish festival of Purim approaches.

The address followed a meeting on Sunday of the political-security cabinet, which discussed preparations for a potential multi-front scenario in the event of a US strike on Iran. Israeli officials are said to assume that Tehran could seek to draw Israel into any confrontation through its regional allies, including Hezbollah and the Houthi movement.

Israel was reportedly taken by surprise by the Trump administration’s decision to hold a third round of indirect talks with Iran in Geneva on Thursday, describing the meeting as a “last opportunity” for diplomacy before possible military escalation.

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