Netanyahu vows full-force war, claims 'plan full of surprises' for Iran

2026-03-08 - 11:22

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Saturday that his country will persist with its military campaign against Iran, boasting that Tel Aviv has developed what he described as a "plan full of surprises" designed to weaken the regime in Tehran. Speaking at a news conference, Netanyahu emphasized that Israeli forces are continuing operations "with full force" despite Iranian retaliatory strikes and growing international concern over regional escalation. Netanyahu framed the current conflict as part of a broader transformation set in motion by the Oct. 7, 2023 events, when Hamas and Palestinian factions launched the Al-Aqsa Flood operation against Israeli military bases and settlements. "Israel has changed the face of the Middle East as promised after the events of Oct. 7, and it has also changed itself," the prime minister asserted, defending what he characterized as necessary but risky decisions to eliminate Israel's enemies. October 7 Context and Gaza Aftermath The Oct. 7 operation, which targeted 11 Israeli military bases and 22 settlements, was launched by Palestinian factions to break the blockade on Gaza and counter Israeli plans perceived as threatening the Palestinian cause. Israel responded with a two-year military campaign in the Gaza Strip that international observers have described as genocidal, resulting in massive civilian casualties and widespread destruction. A ceasefire agreement eventually took effect in October 2025, but the Israeli army has continued violations through bombardment and gunfire, preventing any lasting peace from taking hold. The Gaza conflict's unresolved nature continues to fuel broader regional instability, with Iran and its allies citing Palestinian suffering as justification for confronting Israel and its US backers. Iranian Strikes Continue Despite Pledge Saturday's threats from Netanyahu came on the same day Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian pledged to halt attacks on neighboring countries unless strikes against Iran are launched from their territories. Despite this diplomatic overture, Iranian forces resumed targeting Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq, demonstrating Tehran's determination to retaliate against Gulf states hosting US military assets. Since Feb. 28, when Israel and the United States launched coordinated attacks on Iran, the conflict has claimed hundreds of lives including Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and multiple senior security officials. Tehran has responded with barrages of missiles and drones aimed at both Israeli territory and American interests throughout the region, with some strikes causing deaths, injuries and damage to civilian facilities. Arab Condemnation and Regional Fallout Targeted Arab nations have issued strong condemnations of the Iranian strikes, demanding an immediate end to attacks on their sovereign territory. The Gulf states find themselves in an increasingly untenable position, hosting US military assets that make them potential targets while maintaining diplomatic and economic relationships they cannot easily abandon. Netanyahu's defiant posture suggests Tel Aviv believes it can withstand both Iranian retaliation and international pressure, trusting that its "surprise plan" will eventually tip the balance decisively in Israel's favor. However, with each round of strikes producing fresh retaliation and civilian casualties mounting across multiple countries, the prime minister's confidence may prove difficult to sustain as regional instability continues to spread.