"Israel has the full right to defend itself, and it will use that right as much as needed," the prime minister said
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a pre-recorded press statement on Monday evening, in which he stated that he would not allow Israel’s enemies to dictate the state’s security paradigm. “Israel has the full right to defend itself, and it will use that right as much as needed,” the prime minister said, adding: “I say this to you as I say it with respect and appreciation to my friend President [Donald] Trump.” Netanyahu also indicated that he was in contact with the US president.
“I told Trump: ‘Together, we will bring safety to the North.'" Israel will continue to attack the Beirut neighborhood of Dahiyeh if Hezbollah continues to attack Israel's northern region, Defense Minister Israel Katz said earlier on Monday afternoon. "We reject Iran's threats outright," Katz added. "Any attempt by Iran to use ties with Lebanon to attack Israelwill be met with great force."
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, on Monday, reportedly proposed to the Security Cabinet that Israel strike 20 to 30 buildings in Beirut's Dahiyeh for every Iranian missile launched towards Israel.Dahiyeh is a suburb south of Beirut where Hezbollah has a strong presence. The IDF struck Dahiyeh on Sunday, which Iran used as a trigger to begin launching waves of missiles toward Israel on Sunday evening.
The apparent logic behind Smotrich’s plan is that striking Beirut in this manner would affect Iran’s calculations with regard to the Islamic regime’s connection to Lebanon. Additionally, destroying 1,000 to 2,000 buildings in Dahiyeh would strengthen security and create a deterrent for years to come within Lebanon. (Ed note: These guys are just sick of Hezbollah, can you blame them?) (Read More)
