Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted on Monday (October 28) that Iran is actively pursuing the development of a “stockpile” of nuclear weapons, which he claims is aimed at Israel’s destruction. This announcement follows Israeli airstrikes conducted two days earlier on military sites in Iran.
The airstrikes on Saturday were a direct response to an October 1 attack attributed to Tehran, which itself was retaliation for the killings of leaders from Iran-backed militant groups and a commander of the Revolutionary Guards. Netanyahu stated, “Iran is striving to develop a stockpile of nuclear bombs to destroy us, equipped with long-range missiles, intercontinental missiles that Iran is trying to develop.”
During his address at the beginning of the winter session of Israel’s parliament, Netanyahu further emphasized, “Iran could threaten the entire world at any point.”
“Stopping the Iranian nuclear programme is at the forefront of our minds, and for obvious reasons, I cannot share with you all our plans and actions in this regard,” he added.
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant also remarked that the recent Israeli airstrikes have altered the strategic dynamics with Iran, Israel’s long-standing adversary. “The enemy has been weakened—both in its ability to produce missiles and in its ability to defend itself. This changes the balance of power,” Gallant stated in a release from the defence ministry on Monday.
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Hezbollah Projectile Attack
In a separate development, the Israeli military reported that Hezbollah, the militant group based in Lebanon, launched over 100 projectiles into Israel on Monday, coinciding with Israeli bombardments in southern Lebanon. The military’s statement noted, “As of 16:00 (1400 GMT), approximately 115 projectiles fired by the Hezbollah terrorist organisation crossed from Lebanon into Israel today.”
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Additionally, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for targeting a naval facility near Haifa, a city in northern Israel, with a volley of advanced rockets. According to the group, this attack was a response to Israeli airstrikes in Tyre following an evacuation alert.
