Netanyahu: Iran weakened as Israel gains strength
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that Iran’s regime has reached one of its weakest points in years, while Israel is operating from a position of growing strength.
Speaking from Israel’s military headquarters in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu described an ongoing campaign carried out in close partnership with the United States. He said Israeli and American forces are continuing coordinated strikes aimed at Iran’s military leadership and critical infrastructure.
According to the prime minister, recent air operations have significantly damaged Iran’s industrial capabilities, including a major portion of its steel production—an industry he said supports both funding and weapons manufacturing for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Netanyahu emphasized that cooperation with U.S. President Donald Trump remains tight at both the political and military levels. He added that Israel intends to press forward until its strategic goals are achieved.
Turning to the northern front, Netanyahu said Israeli forces are expanding their operations in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah. He noted that multiple divisions are working to establish a broader security buffer aimed at protecting Israeli communities near the border.
He also praised Israeli civilians for maintaining discipline and following safety instructions—even during Passover—calling on the public to remain resilient.
IDF commando killed in Lebanon during operation, probe underway
An Israeli special forces soldier was killed overnight during operations in southern Lebanon, the military confirmed Saturday.
The soldier, Sgt. Maj. Guy Ludar, 21, served in the Maglan reconnaissance unit of the IDF’s Commando Brigade. A second soldier from the same unit was critically wounded in the incident.
Military officials notified both families, and an investigation has been launched.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences, honoring Ludar’s service and describing him as a fighter who acted with courage in defense of Israeli citizens. Defense Minister Israel Katz also shared his grief, praising the troops engaged in operations aimed at securing Israel’s northern communities.
According to initial reports, the incident occurred during a nighttime raid targeting a Hezbollah-affiliated individual in the village of Shebaa. During the operation, a soldier from another unit reportedly misidentified fellow forces as hostile targets and opened fire.
The military said it is examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The broader operation in southern Lebanon began after Hezbollah joined the conflict against Israel. Israeli forces continue efforts to dismantle militant infrastructure and reduce threats along the border.
Life under fire: Northern Israel adapts as Hezbollah attacks persist
In northern Israel, daily life continues under the constant threat of rocket fire from Hezbollah, forcing communities and essential services to adapt in real time.
At the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya, much of the hospital now operates underground. Patients, staff, and equipment were moved below the surface shortly after the war escalated, transforming the facility into a fortified medical hub.
Despite crowded conditions, patients say the care remains strong. Doctors manage a steady flow of casualties—many of them civilians—as rocket attacks continue to hit nearby areas with little warning.
The hospital, which serves hundreds of thousands of residents, has treated hundreds of wounded since the conflict intensified. It is equipped with reinforced infrastructure, including protected operating rooms and systems designed to handle extreme scenarios.
Closer to the border, the town of Metula reflects a different kind of resilience. Once largely evacuated, some residents have returned and reopened businesses despite ongoing attacks.
Local café owners and residents describe a routine shaped by sirens, explosions, and quick trips to bomb shelters. Yet many remain determined to stay, expressing confidence in the military and a refusal to abandon their homes again.
Reserve soldiers cycle between the front lines and brief returns home, while civilians continue daily routines under pressure. For many in the region, the goal is clear: endure the present and secure a safer future along Israel’s northern border.
