"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz pledged on Wednesday to continue military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria during a speech to soldiers at Hatzerim Air Base, west of Beersheba in southern Israel’s Negev Desert. “We have established ourselves as a regional power and, in certain areas, a global one. This has brought us closer to many other countries,” Netanyahu said. He stressed the need to disarm Hamas and Hezbollah, stating: “They attacked us again today and have openly declared that they have no intention of disarming, which directly contradicts President Trump’s 20-point plan. We will respond accordingly.” He added that Israel would also continue addressing threats posed by Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Defence Minister Katz praised the Israeli Air Force, describing it as the cornerstone of Israel’s freedom of military action, both now and in the future. Katz reiterated Israel’s commitment to disarming Hamas and Hezbollah, and stressed that Israeli forces “will not withdraw from Mount Hermon or the security zone” in Syria. Israel has signed ceasefire agreements with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, but continues to conduct occasional military strikes, which Tel Aviv says target “terrorists and terrorist infrastructure.” Israel has progressively expanded its military presence in southern Syria since the transitional government took power in Damascus in December 2024. "