Israel will continue to fight Iran‘s terrorist forces across the Middle East, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday, ahead of the second-ever direct attack by the Islamic Republic on the Jewish state.
“We are in the midst of a campaign against Iran’s axis of evil,” Netanyahu said in remarks in advance of the Jewish New Year.
“Yesterday, I said that these were days of great achievements and great challenges. Great achievements because we eliminated [Hezbollah chief Hassan] Nasrallah and his senior command, as well as Hezbollah’s plan to seize the Galilee,” the Israeli premier continued. “But there are also great challenges.”
Netanyahu urged citizens to “strictly” follow the defensive guidelines of the Israel Defense Forces’ Home Front Command and immediately enter the nearest bomb shelter when instructed to do so by the military.
“Together, we will stand steadfast in the trying days ahead of us,” he said. “Together, we will fight, and together, we will win.”
Iran on Tuesday night fired a barrage of missiles at the Jewish state, forcing the country’s entire civilian population into bomb shelters. The Islamic Republic’s second direct attack on Israel since April consisted of at least 180 ballistic missiles.
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said on Tuesday night that no further threats from the Iranian regime are expected at the present time.
“We are on heightened alert on defense and offensive, we will protect the citizens of Israel. This [missile] fire will have consequences. We have plans, and we will act in the time and place that we choose,” he vowed.
Iranian-backed Hezbollah has attacked Israel nearly daily since Oct. 8, 2023, firing thousands of rockets, missiles and drones. The attacks have killed more than 40 people and caused significant damage. Tens of thousands of Israelis remain internally displaced due to the violence.
