Speaking virtually at a New York Times event, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered forceful statements on Iran, Gaza, and regional dynamics, while directly confronting New York’s incoming mayor Zohran Mamdani over his pledge to enforce the ICC’s arrest warrant against him.

“Our Work with Iran Isn’t Finished”

Netanyahu argued that Israel has “won the war” against what he called the Iran-led axis, insisting Tehran has been severely weakened but warning that the campaign is far from over.
“I said we would change the face of the Middle East. We have won this war,” he claimed. “We were fighting not only Hamas, but Hezbollah, the Assad regime, the militias in Iraq, the Houthis—and Iran. We succeeded, but this war will never end.”

Netanyahu stressed that Israel continues its campaign against Iran’s nuclear ambitions, recalling attacks in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Iran, and even the assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists. Nevertheless, he asserted that “Tehran still retains the capacity to reach a nuclear weapon.”

“I Will Go and We Will See’

Netanyahu responded directly to New York’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who said he would enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Gaza war crimes if Netanyahu entered the city.
“I will go [to New York] and we will see what happens,” Netanyahu said defiantly.

Defends Israeli Army Despite Civilian Deaths

Asked about war crimes allegations in Gaza—where more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed in two years—Netanyahu insisted that the Israeli army “cares about civilian life,” despite mounting international criticism and ICC proceedings.

Abraham Accords and Gaza Negotiations

Netanyahu said phase one of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange deal has been completed, and that the second phase—disarming Hamas—has begun. He stated this would happen “the easy way or the hard way,” including through military action if necessary.

Responding to a question about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman making Palestinian statehood a condition for joining the Abraham Accords, Netanyahu said Israel “will not allow” a Palestinian state. However, he claimed expanding the accords remains in the interest of Israel and the region.

Netanyahu also said there is domestic pressure to take action against the Palestinian Authority but argued instead that the PA “needs reform,” adding that the Israeli government is not considering the PA for governing Gaza. Instead, he pointed to armed groups Israel has supported, arguing they “do not want the Palestinian Authority or Hamas.”

Comments on Trump Call and Future in Politics

Asked whether he discussed a potential pardon for corruption cases with U.S. President Donald Trump during their recent call—reportedly raised by President Isaac Herzog—Netanyahu said they “did not discuss personal matters” and refused to reveal private conversations.

When questioned about retirement at age 76, Netanyahu replied: “I do not measure this by time but by tasks. The great majority of people in the country support me.”