Pratik Das, Pune
With tensions growing in the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a rare message to the people of Iran on Monday, saying that Israel stands with them while it battles groups supported by Tehran, like Hezbollah in Lebanon.
In a message shared on YouTube and other platforms, PM Netanyahu said, “Every day, your government controls you and talks about protecting Lebanon and Gaza. But in reality, it is pushing our region further into conflict and chaos.”
Netanyahu said that Israeli forces can reach anywhere in the Middle East and are targeting Iran’s allies. He also stated, “We will go anywhere necessary to defend our people and our country.”
Netanyahu’s statement follows Israeli airstrikes in Beirut, Lebanon, where the Israeli military killed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Iran-backed Hezbollah, along with a senior official from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
After Hezbollah confirmed that its leader Nasrallah was killed by Israel, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was moved to a more secure location.
In his message to the people of Iran, Netanyahu ended by saying they shouldn’t let a small group of extreme leaders destroy their hopes and dreams. He said they deserve a better future, and so do their children. Netanyahu also said he understands that the people of Iran don’t support groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, but their leaders do. He assured the Iranian people that Israel is on their side.
Since Israel began airstrikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, over 1,000 people have been killed and more than 6,000 injured. The United Nations says that about 100,000 people have left Lebanon and gone to Syria to get away from the attacks.
After Nasrallah was killed, reports said that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was moved to a safe place because of fears that Israel might take more action.
Tensions between Israel and Iran got worse earlier this year when Iran fired over 300 missiles and drones at Israel to get back at them for a supposed Israeli strike in Syria that killed some top IRGC officers. Most of the missiles were stopped by Israel’s defense systems, with help from a U.S.-led coalition. Israel then hit back with a drone strike on a nuclear research center in Isfahan.
Nasrallah’s killing also happened during Israel’s ongoing attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah has been carrying out cross-border attacks, saying they are supporting Hamas during its war with Israel in Gaza. Israel has increased its strikes on Hezbollah, which has caused many of the group’s leaders to be killed. Earlier in the month, explosions linked to Israel destroyed Hezbollah’s communication systems, hurting thousands and making the conflict worse.