Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stark warning of "challenging days ahead" for Israel after the assassinations of top military and political leaders from Hezbollah and Hamas. Speaking after a lengthy security cabinet meeting, Netanyahu emphasized Israel's preparedness for potential retaliatory attacks from Iran and its allies in the region.
In a statement from Israel's military headquarters, Netanyahu confirmed the killing of Hezbollah's chief of staff, Faud Shukr, in Beirut, and Hamas's political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran. The Prime Minister asserted Israel's readiness to respond to any threat, promising a "very heavy price" for any aggression against the nation.
The high-alert status follows a deadly Hezbollah rocket attack on a Golan Heights Druze town that killed 12 children. Netanyahu attributed the attack to Shukr and highlighted the ongoing threats from across the region.
The Iranian Fars News Agency reported the death of Iranian military adviser Milad Bedi in the same Beirut strike. Netanyahu condemned the murder of innocent children and vowed justice for those responsible, emphasizing Israel's commitment to defending its citizens and territory.
Netanyahu also addressed pressures to end the conflict in Gaza, stating his refusal to yield to domestic and international calls for ceasefire. He credited recent successes, including the elimination of key Hamas figures and the disruption of enemy infrastructure, to Israel's firm stance.
"Together we will fight, and with God’s help, together we will win," Netanyahu concluded, reaffirming Israel's resolve in the face of escalating regional tensions.
