STORY: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday (June 24) that Israel had achieved a historic victory that would stand for generations, but it must complete its campaign against Iran's axis, defeat Hamas and bring about the return of all the hostages in Gaza.

In video remarks issued by the prime minister's office, Netanyahu said Israel never had a better friend in the White House than President Donald Trump.

His address came on the day of a shaky ceasefire, which began to take hold between Israel and Iran on Tuesday under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, raising hopes for an end to the biggest ever military confrontation between the Middle East arch-foes.

Trump scolded both sides for early violations of the truce he announced at 0500 GMT, but directed especially stinging criticism at Washington's close ally Israel over the scale of its strikes, telling it to "calm down now".

He later said Israel called off further attacks at his command to preserve the deal to end a 12-day air war with Iran.

Both Iran and Israel sent signals the conflict was over, at least for now.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER, BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, DELIVERING A STATEMENT

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: UNKNOWN LOCATION (JUNE 24, 2025) (PMO - Access all)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER, BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, SAYING:

"Dear citizens of Israel, during the 12 days of the operation Rising Lion, we achieved a historic victory, and this victory will stand for generations. We removed from upon us two immediate existential threats: the threat of annihilation by nuclear bombs and the threat of annihilation by 20,000 ballistic missiles. If we had not acted now, the State of Israel would soon be facing the danger of annihilation. But that did not happen, because at the decisive moment, we rose like a lion, stood tall, and our roar shook Tehran and echoed throughout the world. As our sages said: "And by wise counsel wage your war." The surprising opening strike of "Rising Lion" will be recorded in the annals of Israel’s wars, and it will be studied by all the armies of the world."

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER, BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, SAYING:

"Citizens of Israel, on your behalf, I thank my friend President Trump and the United States for their part in the defence of Israel and in removing the Iranian nuclear threat. The participation of the U.S. in the campaign, not only organizationally but also offensively, is a historic event. It has never happened before. This is a fruitful diplomatic effort I led together with Minister (Ron) Dermer, with President Trump and his team. And I must tell you: Israel has never had a greater friend in the White House than President Trump, and I thank him very much for our joint efforts. This has enormous implications for the national security of Israel, for the security of each and every one of you, for your children, and for your future — and for the entire Middle East."

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER, BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, SAYING:

"We must complete the campaign against the Iranian axis, defeat Hamas, and bring about the release of all our hostages the living and the fallen. And to the families of the hostages I say: we have not stopped for a moment — not even for a moment — our efforts to bring all our hostages home, both the living and the fallen. And we will not relent from this sacred mission until it is completed."