16.02.2025 17:52
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke about the prisoner exchange during a press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Netanyahu stated, "We have a common strategy, and we cannot always share the details of this strategy with the public. We cannot disclose when the gates of hell will open. If our prisoners are not released until the very last one, they will definitely open."
```html
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated at a press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, "We have a common strategy, and we cannot always share the details of this strategy with the public. We cannot share when the gates of hell will open. If our hostages are not released until the last one, they will definitely open."
NETANYAHU: TRUMP IS THE GREATEST FRIEND
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem yesterday as part of his Middle East tour. After their bilateral meeting, they held a press conference. Netanyahu referred to U.S. President Donald Trump as "the greatest friend Israel has in the White House" and stated that they had productive discussions with Rubio on many issues.
Netanyahu said, "Israel and the U.S. stand shoulder to shoulder against the Iranian threat. We agree that the Ayatollahs should not be allowed to have nuclear weapons. We also agree that Iran's aggression in the region must be curtailed. With Trump's support, we can finish the job, and we will."
"WE CANNOT SHARE WHEN THE GATES OF HELL WILL OPEN"
Referring to the three Israeli hostages released yesterday, Netanyahu thanked U.S. President Donald Trump and also expressed gratitude to Secretary Rubio for his "clear support for the advancement of Israel's policy in Gaza." Netanyahu stated that they are working in full cooperation and coordination with Trump regarding Gaza, saying, "We have a common strategy, and we cannot always share the details of this strategy with the public. We cannot share when the gates of hell will open. If our hostages are not released until the last one, they will definitely open."
Netanyahu promised that Israel would achieve its war goals, such as bringing back all hostages and ensuring that Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future, stating that the U.S.'s "clear support" would help Israel reach these goals more quickly. He noted that they discussed "how they can work together to realize Trump's bold vision for Gaza and its future." Netanyahu also mentioned that they discussed the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria during his meeting with Rubio, stating, "If any force in Syria today believes that Israel will allow other enemy forces to use Syria as a base to attack Israel, they are greatly mistaken. Israel will take action to prevent any threat from emerging in southwestern Syria."
"ISRAEL IS COMMITTED TO THE CEASEFIRE"
Netanyahu also mentioned that there were discussions regarding Lebanon, stating, "Israel is committed to the ceasefire and the agreements we reached in November, and we expect the Lebanese government to be equally determined. Hezbollah must be disarmed. Israel prefers that the Lebanese army do this. Otherwise, Israel will do what it needs to do."
Netanyahu stated that they also discussed "hostile international institutions," including the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, the UN Human Rights Council, and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, and reported that they coordinated efforts to counter the legal war against Israel.
"NETANYAHU ACTED VERY BOLDLY ON GAZA'S FUTURE"
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio emphasized that Trump is "a man who speaks openly and clearly expresses his views on issues." Rubio noted that the first issue Trump was clear about was the return and release of hostages, stating, "This has to happen. This is not optional. The President has also acted very boldly regarding what Gaza's future should be."
"IRAN IS BEHIND EVERY TERRORIST GROUP"
Rubio stated that Trump's ideas are not tired ideas, saying, "What is new is something that obviously requires courage and vision to outline. It may have surprised and shocked many, but the same cycle cannot continue to repeat itself and ultimately arrive at the same place. President Trump is very clear that Hamas cannot continue as a government or military force, and as long as Hamas stands as a force that can threaten through violence, peace becomes impossible. This root must be eradicated and eliminated."
In his speech, Rubio also addressed the issue of Syria, stating, "It is not a positive development for one destabilizing power to be replaced by another. We will monitor this very carefully." He emphasized that the goals of Israel and the U.S. are the same, stating, "The common theme of all these challenges is Iran. It is the single greatest power behind the instability in the region. Iran is behind every terrorist group and every act of violence. There is a common theme behind the violence in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq: Iran. This issue must be addressed. A nuclear Iran can never happen." Rubio emphasized that the U.S. has extraordinary respect and love for Israel, stating, "Israel is an example to the world in terms of being a pluralistic society, free enterprise, and democracy. If there were more Israel in the Middle East, the region would be much safer."
```