Netanyahu Says Iran Victory Opened Door to Rescue Hostages

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday declared that Israel’s military success against Iran has opened new strategic avenues chief among them, the potential to rescue the hostages still held in Gaza. Speaking during a visit to a Shin Bet facility in southern Israel, Netanyahu emphasized that freeing the abductees is now the war’s foremost priority, even above defeating Hamas.

“We removed an immediate threat to our existence two lethal threats,” Netanyahu said, referring to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. He credited the Shin Bet, alongside the IDF and Mossad, for playing a vital role in this achievement.

Netanyahu also signaled that Israel’s recent military victories have reshaped the regional landscape. “Many opportunities have now opened up following this victory. First and foremost, to rescue the hostages,” he told Shin Bet personnel. “You will take part in almost all of these opportunities.”

The prime minister closed by thanking Shin Bet staff for their critical role in safeguarding Israel’s future: “I want to thank you on behalf of the people of Israel for your part in ensuring the eternal existence of Israel.”

The Shin Bet’s acting director, identified only as “S,” provided rare insight into the agency’s efforts. “The Iranian effort met the Shin Bet iron wall,” he said. “We thwarted, on average, two significant attacks every day during the campaign adding up to 770 since the start of the year.” He praised IDF and Mossad teams for their joint success in delivering unprecedented operational achievements.

Following Netanyahu’s statement, the Hostage Families Forum issued a public response. While welcoming the shift in priorities, they urged the government to seek a comprehensive agreement not risky rescue missions. “It is important to emphasize that what is needed is release, not rescue,” the statement read, citing the dangers such operations pose to both hostages and IDF forces.

The forum emphasized that most Israelis support ending the fighting in exchange for the hostages’ return, calling on Netanyahu to make the “necessary decision” that balances moral, operational, and national interests. “Only the removal of this obstacle will lead to a comprehensive agreement,” the forum said. “Return the kidnapped; stop the fighting.”

As Israel navigates a post-Iran conflict landscape, the challenge now turns inward: securing the safe return of its citizens and defining a lasting path to stability in Gaza.

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