According to a report by the Times of Israel on Wednesday July 1, 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack fundamentally changed his thinking on national security, arguing that Israel must establish defensive buffer zones inside hostile territory rather than rely solely on protecting its own borders.
During an interview with Channel 14, Netanyahu said the unprecedented attack forced him to reassess Israel’s security doctrine. He explained that the experience reinforced his belief that communities near the country’s borders should no longer be left exposed to direct threats from neighboring territories.
“Let’s just say that I learned lessons. I drew conclusions. And you have to move with reality,” he said.
His comments come as debate continues inside Israel over responsibility for the October 7 assault. Several senior military and intelligence officials have acknowledged failures linked to the attack and have since resigned. Netanyahu, however, has not publicly accepted personal responsibility and continues to oppose the creation of an independent state commission of inquiry, instead favoring a government-led investigation.
Asked how the events had affected him personally, Netanyahu initially responded with a light-hearted remark about losing weight before turning to what he described as key wartime decisions. He pointed to the broader mobilization of reserve forces, military operations against Hamas and Hezbollah, strikes in Syria, and attacks targeting Iran as examples of policies he championed during the conflict.
The prime minister also said Israel remains prepared for another confrontation with Iran if circumstances require it, while reiterating his longstanding position that Tehran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
On the future of Gaza, Netanyahu declined to provide details when asked whether proposals encouraging the voluntary departure of Gazans were still under consideration after facing widespread international criticism. He was equally cautious when questioned about the possibility of re-establishing Israeli settlements in the enclave, suggesting that some matters are better handled through actions rather than public discussion.
Netanyahu further argued that Israel has already achieved two of its three main wartime objectives. He said the hostages had been brought home and that Hamas no longer poses a significant military threat from Gaza, although he did not mention that some hostages died before they could be rescued or recovered.
According to Netanyahu, the remaining objective is to dismantle Hamas’s civilian governing structure in Gaza. He said Israeli forces will continue pursuing those involved in planning or carrying out the October 7 attack until that goal is achieved.
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