Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his gratitude towards US President Donald Trump on Sunday for facilitating the transfer of munitions that had been previously delayed under the prior administration. This military support is seen as pivotal for Israel in its ongoing confrontation with Iranian-backed groups, including the militant organization Hamas, amid intensifying hostilities in the Gaza Strip since October 2023.
In a video statement delivered in English, Netanyahu hailed Trump as “the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House.” He emphasized that the recently delivered munitions are crucial for Israel’s efforts to “finish the job against Iran’s terror axis,” referring to Iran and its regional allies that pose a threat to Israeli security.
Netanyahu reiterated his longstanding opposition to Iran and its nuclear ambitions, highlighting a commitment to counter the influence of Iran and its proxies in the region. His comments come on the heels of a previous statement made during a news conference with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where he declared that Israel would decisively confront Iran with continued support from the United States. He asserted that Israel has already delivered a substantial blow to what Iran refers to as its “axis of resistance,” which encompasses militant groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Trump’s renewed presidency has seen a reinstatement of a “maximum pressure” policy towards Iran, reflecting strategies from his first term in office. Furthermore, Trump has shown a steadfast commitment to Israel, having welcomed Netanyahu as his first foreign leader guest at the White House last month.
In a related development, Rubio confirmed on Saturday the signing of a declaration aimed at expediting approximately $4 billion in military assistance to Israel. He indicated that efforts were underway to reverse a partial arms embargo that had been put in place during Joe Biden’s presidency, further underscoring the strengthening ties between the two nations regarding military support.
