Israel's big warning to Ali Khamenei: ‘Will reach Iran and you personally'
Katz made the remarks during a visit to Israeli Air Force's Ramon Air Base on Sunday.
'I want to convey a clear message to Khamenei the dictator - If you continue to threaten Israel, our long arm will again reach Tehran and with even greater force — and this time to you personally," Katz said, according to The Times of Israel.
He further warned Iran against threatening Israel. 'Do not threaten, lest you be harmed,' Katz said.
Katz also praised the jet fighter crews at the air base, in the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He thanked the military personnel for their 'incredible work' during Operation Rising Lion.
"..You opened the skies to Tehran, struck repeatedly at the head of the Iranian octopus, and removed threats of annihilation," Katz said.
The term 'Iranian Octopus' comes from former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett's doctrine, wherein he described Iran's Axis of Resistance as an octopus with tentacles which reached across the region.
This is not the first time Katz has issued a threat to Khamenei's life. The Israeli defense minister had, on June 17, threatened Khamenei saying he could be killed like former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, The Jerusalem Post reported.
Khamenei had, earlier this month, called Israel the United States' 'dog on a leash'. The Supreme Leader said that Iran was capable of delivering a bigger blow to its rivals than seen in its war with Israel. He also said that Iran was prepared to respond to any renewed attack.
The war between Iran and Israel ended last month with a ceasefire understanding. The conflict began with Israel's attack on June 13 to stop the Iranian nuclear programme from progressing.
During the 12-day conflict, the Israeli military killed Iran's senior military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians, with the total death toll currently at 1,060, as per Iranian officials.
Iran retaliated with drone and missile strikes which killed at least 28 people in Israel.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
29 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Netanyahu meets security officials as Israel considers full Gaza takeover
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met senior security officials to finalise a new strategy for the 22-month war in Gaza, his office said on Tuesday, with media reporting he favoured a complete military takeover of the Strip. Despite intense international pressure for a ceasefire to ease hunger and appalling conditions in the besieged Palestinian enclave, efforts to mediate a truce between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas have collapsed. Eight more people died of starvation or malnutrition in the past 24 hours, Gaza's health ministry said, while another 79 died in the latest Israeli firing. The prime minister's office said in statement that Netanyahu had held a 'limited security discussion' lasting about three hours during which military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir 'presented the options for continuing the campaign in Gaza'. An Israeli official had earlier told Reuters that Defence Minister Israel Katz and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a confidant of Netanyahu, would also attend the meeting to decide on a strategy to take to cabinet this week. Israel's Channel 12, citing an official from Netanyahu's office, had said the prime minister was leaning towards taking control of the entire territory. That would reverse a 2005 decision to withdraw from Gaza, while retaining control over its borders, a move right-wing parties blame for Hamas gaining power there. It was unclear, however, whether Netanyahu was foreseeing a prolonged occupation or a short-term operation aimed at dismantling Hamas and freeing Israeli hostages. The prime minister's office declined to comment on the Channel 12 report. 'It is still necessary to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, release our hostages and ensure that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel,' Netanyahu told new recruits at a military base. 'We are not giving up on any of these missions.' On Saturday, Hamas released a video of Evyatar David, one of 50 hostages still held in Gaza, appearing emaciated in what seemed to be an underground tunnel. The images shocked Israelis and sparked international condemnation. Throughout the war, there has been sustained international pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages, of whom Israeli officials estimate 20 are still alive. Most hostages have been released during ceasefires following diplomatic negotiations. Israel broke the last ceasefire. PRESSURE TACTIC? A Palestinian official said the suggestion of a full takeover of Gaza may be a tactic to pressure Hamas into concessions, while the Palestinian Foreign Ministry urged foreign nations to take heed of the reports. 'The ministry urges countries and the international community to treat these leaks with utmost seriousness and to intervene urgently to prevent their implementation, whether these leaks are meant to exert pressure, test international reactions, or are genuine and serious,' it said. Israel's coalition government, the most right-wing and religiously conservative in its history, includes far-right politicians who advocate the annexation of both Gaza and the West Bank and encourage Palestinians to leave their homeland. Nearly two years of fighting in Gaza has strained the military, which has a small standing army and has had to repeatedly mobilise reservists. It has throughout the war pushed back against the idea of Israel fully occupying Gaza. In a sign of differences between some members of Israel's ruling coalition and the military, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on X challenged military head Zamir to state he would comply with government directives even if a decision was made to take all of Gaza. The statement from Netanyahu's office said the Israeli Defence Forces were 'prepared to implement any decision that will be made by the Political-Security Cabinet'. HUNGER The war was triggered when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and capturing 251 hostages. Israel's military response has devastated the tiny, crowded enclave, killing more than 61,000 people – mostly civilians – according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel's campaign has forced nearly all of Gaza's more than 2 million people from their homes and caused what a global hunger monitor called last week an unfolding famine. Some 188 Palestinians, including 94 children, have died from hunger since the war began, according to Gaza authorities. An Israeli security official, in a briefing to reporters, acknowledged there may be hunger in some parts of Gaza but rejected reports of famine or starvation. On Tuesday, Israeli tanks pushed into central Gaza but it was not clear if the move was part of a larger ground offensive. Palestinians living in the last quarter of territory where Israel has not yet taken military control – via ground incursions or orders for civilians to leave – said any new push would be catastrophic. 'If the tanks pushed through, where would we go, into the sea? This will be like a death sentence to the entire population,' said Abu Jehad, a Gaza wood merchant.
Hindustan Times
29 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Gaza is now a...': Hamas' huge ‘Nazi' declaration amid starvation crisis, Israeli fears on hostages
'Gaza is now a...': Hamas' huge 'Nazi' declaration amid starvation crisis, Israeli fears on hostages
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Houthi Hypersonic Missile ‘SUCCESSFULLY HITS' Israel; Watch Ben Gurion Airport Under Attack
In a dramatic escalation, Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for launching a 'Palestine 2' hypersonic ballistic missile at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport on August 5. In a televised address, Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree confirmed the operation, vowing that attacks would continue until the war in Gaza ends. The missile attack triggered sirens across central Israel and Jerusalem, sending thousands into bomb shelters. The Israeli military later stated that air defence systems intercepted the incoming projectile. Watch. Read More
