'We know what bold decision you took' - Netanyahu hails Trump after US pilot rescue
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated U.S. President Donald Trump after the rescue of an American airman in Iran, praising what he called Trump’s “decisive leadership” and saying the mission showed that “no one is left behind”, a principle he said Israel and the United States share.
"Congratulations, President Trump. All Israelis rejoice in the incredible rescue of a brave American pilot by America's dauntless warriors. This proves that when free societies muster their courage and their resolve, they can confront seemingly insurmountable odds and overcome the forces of darkness and terror...and as someone who was wounded in such a mission and lost a brother in the Entebbe rescue, Israelis and I know what a bold decision you took," he said.
The rescue came after a U.S. F-15E was shot down over Iran, triggering a nearly two-day search for its second crew member. U.S. forces eventually extracted the wounded officer in a high-risk operation that U.S. media said involved special operations troops and a CIA deception effort to mislead Iranian forces.
The episode has unfolded against the backdrop of the widening U.S.-Iran war, which began after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.
Reuters, citing an Israeli security official, reported that Israeli intelligence helped the rescue mission and that Israel paused operations in the area to support it, underlining the close coordination between Washington and Tel Aviv as the conflict deepens.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
