UAE air defenses intercept Iranian missiles and drones.
Qatar condemns Iran’s targeting of civilians and its assault on regional stability.

From the Gulf and beyond, the message is clear:
The Iranian regime continues to strike multiple countries, spreading chaos and terror across the region.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “We are crushing the terrorist regime in Iran. But we are doing so with even greater vigor, and with increasing force. Yesterday, we destroyed transport planes and dozens of helicopters. Today, we attacked the train tracks and bridges used by the Revolutionary Guards.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Tuesday, 7 April 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:

"I tell you constantly that we are crushing the terrorist regime in Iran. But we are doing so with even greater vigor, and with increasing force.

Yesterday, our pilots destroyed transport planes and dozens of helicopters at an Iranian Air Force base. Today, they attacked the train tracks and bridges used by the Revolutionary Guards. They use these to transport raw materials for weapons, the weapons themselves, and the operatives who attack us, the US, and the countries of the region, the same operatives who also oppress the Iranian people.

And this is the central point: These actions, which I approved together with the Minister of Defense, are not intended to attack the Iranian people. On the contrary, they are intended to weaken and crush the terrorist regime that has oppressed them for 47 years.

This is no longer the same Iran, nor is it the same Israel. We are changing the balance of power from one end to the other."

Weapons in houses. Launchers in neighborhoods. Call it what it is: a Hezbollah village. Civilians turned into human shields.

Prime Minister’s Office announcement on Wednesday, 8 April 2026:

Israel supports President Trump's decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks subject to Iran immediately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel and countries in the region.

Israel also supports the US effort to ensure that Iran no longer poses a nuclear, missile and terror threat to America, Israel, Iran's Arab neighbors and the world.

The United States has told Israel that it is committed to achieving these goals, shares by the US, Israel and Israel's regional allies, in the upcoming negotiations.

The two-weeks ceasefire does not include Lebanon.

Lebanon’s president and prime minister have no shame in attacking Israel for doing what they should have done: striking Hezbollah.

After thousands of attacks on Israel from their territory, they offer no apology - and rather come with demands.

They did not disarm Hezbollah. They did not and do not prevent it from firing on Israel. They lied when they claimed they had demilitarized the area up to the Litani.

Now we must do it instead of them.
Hezbollah ministers still serve in the Lebanese government, and the Iranian ambassador remains in Beirut, openly defying their own decisions.

It is time to start acting against Hezbollah. In deeds, not words. And if you are incapable of doing so - at least do not get in the way.

We mourn the loss of Staff Sergeant Touvel Yosef Lifshiz, 20, from Beit She‘an, a soldier in the 13th Battalion, Golani Brigade, who fell in combat in Lebanon.

Our hearts are with his family and loved ones.
🕯️ May his memory be a blessing.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar:

"I spoke with my friend, German Foreign Minister Wadephul, following the announcement of the ceasefire in the war with Iran.

The United States and Israel have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to achieving the goal that matters to the entire international community: preventing the Iranian terror regime from obtaining nuclear weapons.

I believe this commitment will also be reflected in diplomatic efforts, as President Trump made clear today.

I noted that Lebanon, from which Hezbollah operates against Israel and its citizens, is not Iranian territory and is not part of the ceasefire."

Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Wednesday, 8 April 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:

"Citizens of Israel, I want to thank you, our wonderful nation.

While you demonstrated resilience sitting in the secure rooms and shelters, together we achieved immense accomplishments: Our fighters at the front and you on the home front.

But before all else, I wish to bow my head in memory of our loved ones who fell in this campaign.

I wish to embrace the bereaved families and, on behalf of all of you, send wishes for a speedy recovery to our wounded loved ones.

My brothers and sisters, the State of Israel has achieved immense accomplishments, achievements that until recently seemed completely imaginary.

Iran is weaker than ever, and Israel is stronger than ever. This is the bottom line of this campaign, up to this moment.

And I wish to clarify: We still have goals to complete, and we will achieve them either by agreement or by the resumption of fighting.

We are prepared to return to combat at any necessary moment. Our finger is on the trigger.

As you know, a two-week temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran went into effect tonight, in full coordination with Israel. No, they did not surprise us at the last minute. Now, I want to emphasize, this is not the end of the campaign. This is a way station on the way to achieving all of our goals.

Iran enters negotiations battered and weaker than ever. It has committed to opening the Strait of Hormuz after waiving all of its preconditions.

It waived the cancellation of sanctions, receiving reparations, a final end to the war, and also a ceasefire in Lebanon.

While Iran is weaker than ever, Israel is as strong as it has ever been.

Six weeks ago, for the first time in history, we went to war shoulder-to-shoulder with my friend President Trump and our great ally, the United States.

We set out on a historic operation, the largest operation the Middle East has ever known. Nothing like this has ever happened in the history of Israel.

A partnership like this between Israel and the US against our greatest enemy has also never existed in Israel's history. And yes, I can reassure those worried about the relationship between myself and President Trump. As he said: 'You are great.' We speak every day, and we smile when we hear these assessments.

In any case, anyone who chooses to ignore the power of this partnership is simply ignoring the truth.

As US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said today, the appreciation for Israel as an ally on the battlefield, appreciation for our heroism, courage and skill, this appreciation is soaring.

President Trump, Donald my friend, I want to thank you for your leadership and your friendship. The deep friendship between us, the deep friendship between the US and Israel, is changing the face of the Middle East.

We went out together to remove an existential threat from over the State of Israel and the entire free world, and we are carrying out that mission. We are carrying it out it step by step, goal after goal.

If we hadn't set out on Operation Rising Lion, and then if we hadn't set out on Operation Roaring Lion, Iran would have long ago had nuclear weapons, and Iran would have had many thousands of missiles to destroy Israel and threaten the existence of us all.

We have removed this double existential threat from over our heads. We have set the terrorist regime in Iran back many years. We have shaken its foundations. We have crushed it.

What we have achieved up to now:

We smashed Iran's missile production machine. Not only did we destroy existing missiles, we destroyed the factories that produce them. The Iranians are firing what is left in their arsenal, and the arsenal is emptying out. But they are not producing new missiles.

We have severely damaged Iran's nuclear program. We destroyed many nuclear infrastructures, centrifuge plants, and one more thing, we eliminated more nuclear scientists who joined those we eliminated in Operation Rising Lion.

Regarding the enriched material still remaining in Iran: As senior Trump administration officials said today, all the enriched material will leave Iran. Either it will leave by agreement, or it will leave by the resumption of fighting. We see eye-to-eye on this matter.

We have smashed the money machine and the weapon production machine of the Revolutionary Guards. We destroyed steel plants, petrochemical plants, weapon manufacturing plants, bridges, and railways for the transport of forces and weapons.

We have destroyed military infrastructure: The Iranian Navy, dozens of aircraft, missile bases, and headquarters.

We have severely damaged the regime’s mechanism of oppression. We eliminated thousands of its operatives and proved that we can hunt them down anywhere. They have nowhere to hide.

We eliminated senior regime officials, from the tyrant Khamenei to the top brass of the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij.

As a result of Israel's determination and strength, strength and determination that everyone in the Middle East sees, we are creating new alliances with countries in the region.

I insisted that the temporary ceasefire with Iran not include Hezbollah. And we continue to strike them forcefully.

Today we dealt Hezbollah the greatest blow it has suffered since the pagers. We attacked 100 targets in 10 minutes, in places Hezbollah was certain were immune.

Wonderful residents of the North, we are committed to returning security to you.
We have created deep security zones beyond our borders, in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, where we control more than half of the Strip and are choking Hamas from every side.

Citizens of Israel, anyone who tries to ignore these monumental achievements, monumental achievements of the State of Israel and IDF soldiers; anyone who tries to diminish them, either they do not know what they are talking about, or they are speaking out of foreign interests.

Because the truth is simple: As I promised you at the beginning of the War of Redemption, we have dramatically changed the face of the Middle East in Israel's favor, and we will continue to do so.

Because we are the side that takes the initiative, we are the side that fights, and with G-d's help, we are the side that wins.

Happy Maimouna holiday (https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/maimouna-a-post-passover-celebration/), citizens of Israel, a holiday of Israeli unity. May you prosper and find favor."

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar:

"I applaud President Rodrigo Chaves and the Costa Rican government for their principled leadership in declaring the IRGC, Hezbollah, Hamas, and Ansar Allah (Houthis) as terrorist organizations.

This decisive action strengthens the international coalition against Iranian-backed terror and is a vital contribution to security across the Middle East and the Western Hemisphere."

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar:

"The Iranian terror regime is resuming the execution of its citizens, protesters and political dissidents.
Spain is reopening its embassy in Tehran.
Hand in hand. With no shame.
An eternal disgrace."

Prime Minister Netanyahu's statement with English subtitles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLC3BqxfGAg

This is how it always is in Europe: they stand on the sidelines. keep their distance. At times they offer disclaimers or condemnations.
Yet they always benefit from the results.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar:

"Dear EU High Representative Kallas, these are the facts:

Since Hezbollah began its attacks unprovoked on March 2nd, it has indiscriminately fired roughly 6,500 missiles, rockets and drones at Israeli communities and citizens.

The IDF action yesterday in Lebanon was a precise strike, based on intelligence, aimed at dozens of terror targets: Hezbollah command centers manned by terrorists, weapons depots and launch sites.

The vast majority of the casualties were Hezbollah terrorists. No other military in the world is able to strike so precisely with minimal civilian casualties.

Dear High Representative,

This action was far more precise than in any other war you’re familiar with.

Your call to extend the ceasefire to Lebanon is exactly the Iranian terror regime’s position. It makes Lebanon not just de-facto under Iranian occupation. It makes Lebanon de-jure Iranian territory.

The US already made it clear that Lebanon is not part of the deal.

You claimed that Hezbollah “agreed to disarm”. When did that happen???

The opposite is true. Time and again Hezbollah declared they won’t.

You claim the EU “supports Lebanon’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah”. Unfortunately, despite its commitment to do so in the November 2024 ceasefire - the Lebanese government hadn’t done that, as we can all clearly see today.

Ridiculously enough, Hezbollah ministers still serve in the Lebanese government!"

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

"In light of Lebanon's repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed at the Government meeting yesterday to open direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible.

The negotiations will focus on the disarmament of Hezbollah and the establishing of peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.

Israel appreciates the call made today by the Prime Minister of Lebanon to demilitarize Beirut."

The Prime Minister's Office:

Pakistan Defence Minister’s call for Israel’s annihilation is outrageous. This is not a statement that can be tolerated from any government, especially not from one that claims to be a neutral arbiter for peace.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar:

"Had a good conversation with Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Nduhungirehe.

I expressed solidarity with Rwanda, on behalf of the Government and people of Israel, during the week marking 32 years since the genocide against the Tutsi.

We discussed the situation in our region and in theirs.

I emphasized that the Iranian terror regime must not obtain nuclear weapons. The removal of enriched material from Iran and the cessation of enrichment there are important goals, and we would welcome if they will be achieved through diplomatic means.

I invited my friend to soon visit Israel.

We’ll continue strengthening our friendship with Rwanda. 🇮🇱🇷🇼"