Netanyahu threatens 'forceful' response if Iran attacks Israel again

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning Monday, vowing a "forceful" response should Iran make the "mistake" of attacking Israeli territory again. This marks his first public statement following the recent exchange of fire with the Islamic Republic.

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In the last 24 hours, Iran and Hezbollah have tried to impose a new equation on us. And this equation is intolerable and unacceptable to me.

In a video statement, Netanyahu asserted that the current exchange of fire was "contained," suggesting Israel's response to Iran's Sunday missile barrage had deterred Tehran from further attacks. "In the last 24 hours, Iran and Hezbollah have tried to impose a new equation on us. And this equation is intolerable and unacceptable to me," Netanyahu declared. He was referencing an Iranian threat that an Israeli strike on Beirut, similar to one that occurred Sunday, would trigger a military response. "They thought they would fire from Lebanese and Iranian territory against Israel, and that we would not act. That has not happened, nor will it happen. Not while I am in command!" the Israeli premier guaranteed.

Earlier on Monday, a military source told EFE that the Israeli army was preparing for "several days or as long as necessary" of confrontations with Iran after the Islamic Republic launched at least six ballistic missile volleys targeting Israel's Nevatim and Tel Nof bases. These attacks were intercepted by Israel's air defense system, resulting in no fatalities or injuries. Similarly, two missiles launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels, allies of Iran, towards Israel in the past 24 hours were also intercepted, with one not even reaching Israeli territory, according to the military source.

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They thought they would fire from Lebanese and Iranian territory against Israel, and that we would not act. That has not happened, nor will it happen. Not while I am in command!

Netanyahu also renewed his commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and pledged that the Israeli military would "destroy" Hezbollah. "We continue to destroy all their terrorist infrastructure in the Security Strip, including the enormous underground facilities at Beaufort Castle. They are so large I have never seen anything like it," the prime minister acknowledged. He concluded by stating that although Iran and Hezbollah "are weaker than ever, and we are stronger than ever, our fight against them is not yet over."

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We continue to destroy all their terrorist infrastructure in the Security Strip, including the enormous underground facilities at Beaufort Castle. They are so large I have never seen anything like it.