Victory over Iran could expand peace accords: Netanyahu
"This victory gives us a chance to greatly expand our peace deals," Netanyahu said in a statement. "We are working on this with energy and excitement. Along with freeing hostages and defeating Hamas, this is a window of opportunity that we cannot let pass. We must act quickly—every day counts."
Earlier that day, the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported that Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump had spoken on the phone and agreed to end the war in Gaza quickly, possibly within two weeks.
The report also said that as part of the deal, the Abraham Accords—peace agreements between Israel and Arab countries—could be expanded to include Saudi Arabia and Syria. In return, Israel would support the idea of a future Palestinian state, but only if the Palestinian Authority makes certain reforms.
Netanyahu's office did not comment on the Israel Hayom story, and the White House did not respond to questions.
The ceasefire between Israel and Iran, brokered by the U.S. and announced by Trump, has given hope to Palestinians that over 20 months of war in Gaza could finally end. The conflict has destroyed much of Gaza and forced most people from their homes. Many are suffering from hunger.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when the militant group Hamas attacked Israel and took hostages. About 50 hostages are still in Gaza, but only 20 are believed to be alive.
Some right-wing Israeli ministers, like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, have called for Israel to take over Gaza permanently and rebuild Jewish settlements there—settlements that were removed in 2005. Netanyahu has rejected these ideas.
This week, Smotrich said that Netanyahu does not have the right to support the creation of a Palestinian state. He said, "If countries want peace for peace, they are welcome. But if they want a Palestinian state, they can forget it. It will never happen."
Netanyahu said that Iran's weakness now gives Israel a better chance to make new peace deals.
"We have broken the axis," Netanyahu told reporters then. "This is a huge change, and Israel's status is rising, not just in the Middle East but also in the world. This is a tectonic shift."
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