President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir attended a Wings Parade Wednesday at the Hatzerim Air Force Base in southern Israel marking the completion of Flight Course 191.<\/p>\n
In his speech at the ceremony, Netanyahu greeted and thanked mayors and members of Kibbutz Be\u2019eri who traveled to the base. He offered condolences to families of fallen soldiers and said their sacrifice ensured the survival of the State of Israel. \u201cEvery fallen soldier has a place of honor in the eternity of Israel,\u201d he said. Netanyahu also acknowledged wounded soldiers and reiterated prayers for their full recovery. He mentioned the last missing soldier, Ran Gvili<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the depths of October 7 we soared to heights of strength and deterrence across the Middle East,\u201d Netanyahu said, asserting that Israeli jets, helicopters and drones now fly freely in the region\u2019s skies. He said Israel struck \u201cdecisive blows\u201d against its enemies on seven fronts, altering the nation\u2019s fate and securing achievements that \u201chave left an indelible mark.\u201d<\/p>\n The prime minister pointed to diplomatic results of what he described as military success, saying Germany\u2019s chancellor had sought to visit Israel and that Germany plans to buy additional systems from Israel<\/a>. He added that other countries were \u201cin line\u201d to do the same.Netanyahu warned that Israel\u2019s enemies \u201care licking their wounds but are seeking to rearm,\u201d citing a recent attack by Hamas<\/a>. \u201cThey say they have no intention of disarming. We will respond accordingly,\u201d he said. He also alluded to Iran, saying old threats were taking new form and new threats were emerging, and that \u201cour eyes are open.\u201d Netanyahu said he approved a 350-billion-shekel plan to build an independent Israeli defense industry to reduce reliance on foreign partners.<\/p>\n Defense Minister Israel Katz addressed the Iranian threat, saying Israel\u2019s security apparatus is monitoring developments but offering no further details. \u201cWhat was before October 7 will not be,\u201d Katz said, and vowed to maintain maximum enforcement against Hezbollah in the north and to prevent threats to northern communities. On Gaza, Katz said Israel is committed to disarming Hamas and demilitarizing the territory. \u201cWe will destroy all terror tunnels and anyone who raises a hand against IDF soldiers, we will cut off their hand,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Zamir recounted what he described as a dramatic night of an operation against Iran, detailing planning and execution. \u201cIt was a compressed room, great emotion and a sense of something historic in the air,\u201d he said, describing the operation\u2019s approval and execution at 2:55 a.m., when precision strikes were carried out. \u201cOperation Rising Lion was launched<\/a>,\u201d he said, referring to the code name.He said the Israeli Air Force is \u201cat its best\u201d and said the military continues to investigate failures around October 7<\/a>. \u201cWe are investigating ourselves with courage. We will learn from the failure but not sink in it,\u201d Zamir said. \u201cSecurity is not guaranteed. Israel\u2019s guardian will neither slumber nor sleep. In response to every attempt to harm us, we will act by the rule: rise early against your destroyer.\u201d<\/p>\n Air Force commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar spoke about the security situation amid the ongoing war, saying Israel operates with full freedom in Middle East airspace to enforce and remove existential threats. \u201cWe are prepared for every development,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Bar addressed an internal review of the Air Force\u2019s performance on October 7, saying airmen did all they could to prevent the attack but that hindsight shows improvements were possible. \u201cWe are already implementing the lessons,\u201d he said. He also lauded the appointment of his successor, Brig. Gen. Omer Tishler, approved by Katz.<\/p>\n Bar addressed his controversial decision to reinstate 15 officers who were suspended earlier this year after calling for an end to the war. He said the Air Force is a \u201cnational, ethical and moral service\u201d and that airmen will remain united and focused on completing missions to the highest standard.<\/p>\n Herzog praised the Air Force, saying it had proven the truth of the adage \u201cthe best of the best,\u201d and acknowledged the contributions of airmen, support personnel, air defense units and rescue and recovery teams.<\/p>\n