Mossad chief David Barnea stressed that Israel inflicted “significant damage” on Iran during last month’s 12-day operation, but stressed that Jerusalem must continue its operations against the Islamic Republic, according to statements released by the prime minister’s office.

For his part, Netanyahu called the Lebanon bombing operation a turning point for what followed at all levels in the Middle East.

“We are determined to continue to act decisively to prevent future Iranian threats against Israel and to make the most of the strategic opportunities offered to us, Barnea said during a visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Mossad headquarters last night.

Netanyahu told Mossad leadership that the September 2024 beeper and radio operation against Hezbollah “set in motion everything that happened afterwards – the elimination of [Hezbollah leader Hassan] Nasrallah, the collapse of [Syrian President Bashar] Assad, and then our joint operation to eliminate the immediate existential threat” in Iran.