Netanyahu marks three years since Oct 7 conflict with threats against Iran
In short
Israel began ceremonies on 5 October to mark three years since the conflict that started on 7 October 2023, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used a speech to restate hardline military positions on Gaza and Lebanon. He said Hamas would never again rule Gaza, that Israel would keep "clearing" those involved in the attacks and hostage-taking, and that its forces would continue strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon. He also said Iran was in its "weakest period" and would "disappear from the world".
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Israel began holding ceremonies on 5 October to mark three years since the conflict that broke out on 7 October 2023, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used a speech at the commemoration to restate hardline military positions on the Gaza Strip and Lebanon and to issue a direct threat to Iran, according to reports from three Chinese business outlets. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Netanyahu said Hamas could not rule Gaza again in the future, and that Israel would continue to "clear" those involved in the attacks and in holding hostages. Israeli forces would also continue military strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, he said. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
He again accused Iran of "threatening Israel's security" through its regional armed network and its missile programme, and said the Iranian government was currently in its "weakest period" and would "disappear from the world". [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
CLS published its account at 18:27, Yicai at 18:35 and Jiemian at 18:52, all carrying essentially the same content. Yicai and Jiemian attributed the material to CCTV's international news channel; CLS did not name a source. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The documents do not say where the ceremony or the speech took place, and none of them carries any response from Iran, Hamas or Hezbollah, or any detail on how Israel intends to carry out the "clearing" of those it says were involved in the attacks and hostage-taking. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
Chinese financial and business outlets gave the speech prominent, near-simultaneous coverage, suggesting the region's trajectory remains a significant item for Chinese readers tracking Middle East risk. The remarks point to continued Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon rather than de-escalation, and to a sustained direct posture toward Iran. The documents contain no reaction from Iran, Hamas or Hezbollah, so the immediate consequences of the statements are not established.
Key facts
- Israel began holding ceremonies on 5 October to commemorate three years since the conflict that broke out on 7 October 2023. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a speech restating hardline military positions on the Gaza Strip and Lebanon and issuing a direct threat to Iran. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Netanyahu said Hamas could not rule Gaza again in the future. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He said Israel would continue to "clear" those involved in the attacks and in holding hostages. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He said Israeli forces would continue military strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He again accused Iran of threatening Israel's security through its regional armed network and missile programme. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He said the Iranian government was in its "weakest period" and would "disappear from the world". [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Yicai and Jiemian attributed the reported content to CCTV's international news channel. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Israel began ceremonies on 5 October marking three years since the conflict that began on 7 October 2023, and Netanyahu spoke at the commemoration. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Netanyahu restated hardline military positions on Gaza and Lebanon and issued a direct threat to Iran in the speech. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He said Hamas could not rule Gaza again and that Israel would continue to "clear" those involved in the attacks and hostage-taking. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He said Israel would continue military strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He described the Iranian government as being in its "weakest period" and said it would "disappear from the world". [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The location of the ceremony and of Netanyahu's speech is not given. None of the documents state a city or venue.
- No reaction from Iran, Hamas or Hezbollah is included. All three documents carry only the Israeli prime minister's remarks; no other party is quoted.
- What Israel's stated intention to keep "clearing" those involved in the attacks and hostage-taking means in practice is not specified. The documents quote the phrase without defining the operations involved.
- CLS did not name a source for its report, while Yicai and Jiemian credited CCTV's international news channel. The documents differ on sourcing, so how the remarks were obtained is not fully clear.