"We crushed Hamas in Gaza. We eliminated most of its chain of command," Netanyahu said in a Sunday night statement. Israel has changed the strategic reality in the Middle East with its intense strikes on Iranian proxy groups, including the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. He speculated that Israel's display of force would help forge ties with new allies in the Middle East. In his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, he speculated that Israel could soon normalize ties with Saudi Arabia. He stressed, however, that there are still difficult days ahead as Israel stands firm on the goals it has set, "the elimination of Hamas, the return of all our hostages, and the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes."