BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 5. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will do "whatever it takes" to guarantee its security, regardless of whether diplomatic agreements are reached.
Speaking at a state ceremony marking the reburial of Shimon Leib and Rivka Herzl, the grandparents of Theodor Herzl, regarded as the founder of modern political Zionism, Netanyahu stressed that "Israel's existence is not negotiable."
At the same time, he praised U.S. President Donald Trump, describing him as "the greatest friend we have had in the White House."
"Israel will do whatever it takes to ensure its security, with or without a deal," Netanyahu said.
The remarks come as Israeli military operations continue in southern Lebanon, while Israeli and Lebanese officials are engaged in U.S.-mediated negotiations in Rome aimed at implementing a framework agreement intended to reduce tensions.
