Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: I said we will change the Middle East - and we are

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video statement today (Sunday) addressing the challenges arising from events in Syria and Iran and Israel's policy regarding them.

He began by saying that "A year ago, I said something very simple: we will change the Middle East, and we are indeed changing it. Syria is not the same Syria, Lebanon is not the same Lebanon, Gaza is not the same Gaza, and the head of the axis - Iran - is not the same Iran. It also felt our might."

He then addressed Syria: "We have no desire to clash with Syria. We will determine the Israeli policy towards Syria according to the emerging reality on the ground. I remind you that for decades, Syria was an active enemy of Israel. It attacked us over and over again, it allowed others to attack us from its territory, it allowed Iran to arm Hezbollah through its territory."

To stop this, "within a few days, we destroyed capabilities which Assad built up for decades. We did this to ensure that dangerous weapons are not directed at us again from Syrian soil. We also harmed the weapons supply routes from Syria to Hezbollah," noting that even Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem conceded as much.

Netanyahu then ended by saying that Israel remains determined to prevent Hezbollah from rearming and working with President-elect Trump to return all the hostages still held by Hamas.