Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran “will pay” for the 180 missiles launched toward his country on Tuesday.
“This evening, Iran made a big mistake — and it will pay for it,” the leader said during a security Cabinet meeting. “The regime in Tehran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and to exact a price from our enemies.”
Netanyahu then referenced leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, two militant groups backed by Iran, to underscore what he meant. The Israeli leader named Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed last week by an Israeli strike, and others who have been killed by Israel, writing that they did not understand what Israel would do.
“Apparently, there are those in Tehran who do not understand this either. They will,” Netanyahu said.
“We are fighting the axis of evil everywhere, including in southern Lebanon and Gaza, where our heroic soldiers are active,” he later added. “Today, more than ever, the forces of light in the world must unite and work together against the ayatollahs’ dark regime, which is the source of terror and evil in our region.”
Israel began carrying out ground operations Tuesday in search of the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah’s top leaders. In his speech, Netanyahu promised to pursue all of Israel’s enemies, especially those who have attacked the country.
“On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, I say to you, citizens of Israel: Israel has the momentum and the axis of evil is in retreat. We will do whatever needs to be done to continue this trend,” he said during his address. “To achieve all of our war objectives, especially the return of all of our hostages, and ensure our existence and our future.”
“A good and safe year to you all,” he later added.
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