Israel's Katz renews Khamenei assassination vow
Speaking during a visit to Ramon Airbase alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Katz declared, 'I have a clear message for the dictator Khamenei—if you persist in threatening Israel, our long arm will reach Tehran again, this time with greater force—and this time, it includes you.'
This marks the second time Katz has publicly named Khamenei in this context. The first came during the 12-day military confrontation with Iran in June, when he described targeting Khamenei as one of Israel's strategic objectives in its campaign against Tehran.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
War is possible again: Lebanon's ongoing negotiations on Hezbollah's arsenal
Shafaq News After months of political back-and-forth, the issue of Hezbollah's weapons has become increasingly central in both domestic Lebanese discourse and international positioning. With time running short and diplomatic options narrowing, the debate is intensifying, signaling the potential for renewed escalation. Limited Diplomatic Window Many observers note that the possibility of removing the Lebanon file from US Syria envoy Tom Barrack is unlikely to alter Washington's or Tel Aviv's longstanding demands regarding Hezbollah's disarmament. Speculation surrounding the possible reappointment of former envoy Morgan Ortagus—known for her vocal support of Israel—has further fueled concerns about a diminishing diplomatic posture by the US in handling Lebanon's complex political and security landscape. Meanwhile, Hezbollah remains adamant about retaining its arsenal for the foreseeable future. In contrast, key international actors, led by the United States, continue to demand concrete steps toward consolidating state control over all weapons. This outlook is reinforced by a series of high-profile public statements that suggest the window for political resolution is rapidly closing. Diverging Rhetoric: Aoun's Appeal Versus Hezbollah's Defiance The Lebanese President Joseph Aoun issued a direct appeal to Hezbollah, calling for the group to hand over its weapons 'today rather than tomorrow,' framing the issue in existential terms, 'to liberate occupied territories, rebuild the state, restore international trust in Lebanon, and prevent further national collapse.' Aoun emphasized that the sacrifices of Lebanon's martyrs must not be in vain. Hezbollah's leadership, however, is far from the President's appeal. The Secretary-General Naim Qassem reiterated that disarmament is not on the table. He warned against reducing Lebanon to 'an Israeli annex,' regardless of the cost, and instead emphasized other priorities—including reconstruction efforts following the Israeli war and halting Israeli attacks. 'End the aggression and free the prisoners; only then can we have a serious discussion,' Qassem declared, dismissing any calls—domestic or foreign—for disarmament as serving 'the Israeli project,' and argued that Israel's ambitions extended beyond disputed border points, warning that disarming the resistance would pave the way for Israeli expansionism inside Lebanon. Despite the apparent contradiction between Aoun and Hezbollah, political sources suggest that a quiet but constructive dialogue is ongoing between the two sides. This conversation is expected to culminate in a government session that will formally address the state's monopoly over arms. Negotiations, Not Disarmament—For Now Lebanese political analyst Qassem Qassir told Shafaq News that disarmament is not currently on the agenda. He confirmed that negotiations between Hezbollah and the presidency continue, but stressed that any meaningful discussion about Hezbollah's weapons hinges on several non-negotiable conditions: ending Israeli aggression, withdrawing from Lebanese territory, releasing prisoners, and initiating reconstruction. 'These are firm and clear positions,' Qassir said. 'Any consideration of limiting arms to the state can only follow the fulfillment of these demands.' Qassir also emphasized that Hezbollah's heavy missiles and drones constitute 'a point of strength for Lebanon,' forming a strategic deterrent against Israel. 'These capabilities cannot be relinquished without assurances for their protection.' He further warned that the US and Israel do not merely seek Hezbollah's disarmament, but rather its destruction—whether those weapons are held by the party or the Lebanese Army. 'Israel may use the pretext of disarmament to justify a new war on Lebanon,' he cautioned. While internal discussions have floated the idea of placing Hezbollah's arms under unofficial state authority, Qassir concluded that no concrete steps have been taken by the Lebanese state toward actual disarmament. What is unfolding, he said, remains confined to preliminary consultations and general understandings. Israel Rejects Lebanese Initiative, Heightening Risks of Escalation With diplomacy faltering, many in Lebanon fear that an escalation is inevitable—possibly resembling the recent conflict that ended with a ceasefire agreement on November 27. Two developments in particular are fueling these fears. First is the continued pattern of Israeli airstrikes and targeted assassinations, concentrated in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. Second is a report by Reuters, citing five diplomatic sources, stating that Israel rejected a proposal from Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. The proposal had sought a halt to Israeli airstrikes as a first step toward fully implementing the ceasefire agreement. Israel has issued neither confirmation nor denial of the report. Potential Political Fallout? Beyond the battlefield risks, internal political repercussions also loom. Despite Hezbollah's entrenched role in the Lebanese government, ongoing external pressure and internal divisions over its weapons could reshape the very structure of governance. This unresolved contradiction—between Hezbollah's strategic doctrine and growing international insistence on state sovereignty—has yet to reach a breaking point. But the signals from all sides suggest that the margin for ambiguity is rapidly narrowing.
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraqis rally against Israeli siege on Gaza
Shafaq News – Baghdad On Friday, dozens of Iraqis demonstrated in central Baghdad to demand the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and an end to the Israeli blockade. According to Shafaq News correspondent, the protest took place in Al-Tahrir (Liberation) Square, where participants raised images portraying the suffering of civilians and called for urgent relief. A banner reading 'True Promise'—the name of Iran's June military operation against Israel—was draped over the Freedom Monument. Since October 2023, Iraq has maintained a firm stance against the Gaza war, rejecting forced Palestinian displacement and opposing normalization with Israel. The government has also sent aid convoys and repeatedly condemned the humanitarian situation. Article 201 of Iraq's Penal Code criminalizes any cooperation with Israel, and a 2022 parliamentary law reinforced this position by outlawing normalization efforts with penalties that include life imprisonment or death.
Iraqi News
3 hours ago
- Iraqi News
UN: 1,373 Palestinians killed while waiting for aid in Gaza
Follow-up - INA The United Nations announced on Friday that at least 1,373 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since May 27 while trying to obtain food at aid distribution centers. The UN stated that "Israeli forces are shooting and shelling Palestinians in the vicinity of Gaza Humanitarian Facility sites, and that 859 Palestinians were killed in the vicinity of Gaza Humanitarian Facility sites and 514 along food aid convoy routes." The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) stated that "the famine in Gaza is entirely man-made," stressing "the need to allow the United Nations, including UNRWA, to do its work so that aid can safely reach those most in need, including one million hungry children."
