Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel must reduce its dependence on U.S. military assistance and develop a fully independent domestic defense industry. Speaking to Israeli troops, Netanyahu thanked the United States for its long-standing support but emphasized that Israel should strengthen its own weapons production to ensure greater strategic autonomy in future conflicts.
His remarks come at a time of increasing diplomatic pressure from Washington, which has urged Israel to scale back its military operations in southern Lebanon. Despite those calls, Netanyahu reaffirmed that Israeli forces will continue operating in the region, maintaining their presence and targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. The comments highlight Israel’s determination to pursue its security objectives while seeking greater self-sufficiency in defense capabilities, even as tensions with Lebanon and international scrutiny continue to grow.
