‘Whoever hurts us, we hurt them’: Netanyahu gears up for war with Iran vowing to strengthen ‘both defence and attack’ as Russia calls for both sides to show restraint
Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stark warning to Iran as he vowed to strengthen Israel’s “defense and offensive capabilities.” He told troops today: ‘whoever hurts us, we will hurt him’.
The Israeli prime minister said that not only is his country in the midst of the war in Gaza, which he said “continues with full force,” but that the country is “also preparing for scenarios of challenges in other arenas.”
Israel is bracing for possible Iranian retaliation for the killing of a senior general and six other Iranian officers in an airstrike on the grounds of the Iranian embassy in Damascus on April 1.
Although the country has not claimed responsibility, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that Israel “must be punished and it will be punished” for the attack.
Russia and Germany have now urged Middle Eastern countries to show restraint – amid fears that similar retaliations could spiral into full-scale conflict.
Israel’s prime minister said his country is not only in the midst of the war in Gaza, but is also “preparing for scenarios of challenges in other arenas.”
Israeli soldiers prepare their equipment and armored personnel carrier before entering the Gaza Strip on April 10, 2024
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that Israel “must be punished and will be punished” for the attack.
The attack by Iran or its allies on military and government targets in Israel is imminent, Bloomberg News reported citing intelligence sources, with one source saying it is more a matter of when, not if.
Netanyahu made his comments as Israeli troops and warplanes launched an overnight operation in central Gaza that the military said was aimed at destroying Hamas infrastructure.
The conflict has spread across the Middle East since the outbreak of the Gaza war, with Iran voicing its support for the groups carrying out attacks from Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq.
Tehran has avoided direct confrontation with Israel or the United States while supporting its allies.
In an apparent attempt to reassure Israelis, Netanyahu told the soldiers: “We are preparing to meet the security needs of the State of Israel, both in defense and attack. I and the people of Israel trust in you. And may we all have much success.”
As tensions in the region continue to simmer, German airline Lufthansa, one of only two Western airlines flying to Tehran, extended the suspension of its flights to the Iranian capital and Russia warned against travel to the Middle East.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called on her Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian to insist on “maximum restraint” to prevent further escalation.
The Russian Foreign Ministry told citizens not to travel to the Middle East, especially Israel, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.
An Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the Shahed-136, on display at Azadi (Freedom) Square in western Tehran, Iran, on February 11, 2024
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei noted in a speech for Eid al-Fitr on Wednesday that attacking an embassy “means they have attacked our territory”
Iranian soldiers attend the funeral procession for seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps killed in an attack in Syria, which Iran blamed on Israel, in Tehran on April 5, 2024
“At this moment it is very important for everyone to exercise restraint, so as not to lead to a complete destabilization of the situation in the region, which does not exactly excel in stability and predictability,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a news conference.
Tehran has repeatedly warned it will retaliate for the attack in Syria, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saying in a speech on Wednesday that attacking an embassy “means they have attacked our territory.”
“The evil regime has made a mistake and it must be punished and will be punished,” he added, according to state news agency IRNA.
Iran’s main proxy group is Hezbollah, which is based in southern Lebanon and has exchanged fire with Israeli forces almost daily since the war in Gaza broke out in October.
There are fears that an open war between Israel and Iran could turn into a much wider conflict, with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz stating on X: ‘If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran. ‘
It comes after President Joe Biden vowed that US support for Israel is “rock solid” amid concerns the country could be targeted by major missile or drone attacks by Iran.
“As I told Prime Minister Netanyahu, our commitment to Israel’s security against these threats from Iran and its allies is rock-solid. Let me say it again: rock solid. We will do everything we can to protect Israel’s security,” Biden said at a news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Most Israeli troops have withdrawn from Gaza in preparation for an attack on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which the US has urged caution.
More than 1 million Palestinians are sheltering in the city, about half of the enclave’s population, but fighting continues in several parts of the enclave.
Israeli soldiers prepare their equipment and armored personnel carriers before entering the Gaza Strip on April 10, 2024
“Our commitment to Israel’s security against these threats from Iran and its allies is ironclad,” President Biden said
“It was as if the occupying army launched a new war,” Raouf Abed, 20, said via chat app from Deir Al-Balah, south of Al-Nuseirat refugee camp.
“The explosions were non-stop, the sounds were coming from different directions,” he said.
“Every time we hope for a ceasefire, Israel escalates its aggression, as if they are trying to pressure Hamas by attacking us, the civilians,” he said.