Israeli 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.
