Netanyahu: 'we will make our own decisions' about response to Tehran strikes
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the visiting foreign ministers of Germany and Britain for their support on Wednesday but said Israel would reach its own decisions on its security.
“They have all sorts of suggestions and advice. I appreciate that. But I want to make it clear – we will make our own decisions, and the state of Israel will do everything necessary to defend itself,” Reuters reports he said, according to a statement released by his office.
Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi warned in Tehran on Wednesday morning that the tiniest strike by Israel om Iranian soil would bring a “massive and harsh” response. Raisi said the weekend’s attack was a limited one, and that if Iran had wanted to carry out a bigger attack, “nothing would remain from the Zionist regime.”
Earlier the UK foreign secretary David Cameron had said he hoped Israel would show restraint and be “smart but tough” after the unprecedented direct state-on-state attack by Iran on Israel which used over 300 weapons.
It is clear Israel is making a decision to respond to Iran's attack, says David Cameron – video
The statement from the Israeli prime minister also said that he had briefed Cameron and Annalena Baerbock on the scope of humanitarian aid entering Gaza, and Netanyahu said he rejected claims by international organizations that there was starvation in Gaza.
Palestinian children wait in line to receive food distributed by charity organizations as Israeli attacks continue in Khan Younis. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
In March the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) stated that 1.1 million people in the Gaza Strip were experiencing catastrophic food insecurity and that famine was imminent.
In its latest update yesterday, the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, said “There has been no significant change in the volume of humanitarian supplies entering Gaza or improved access to the north,” adding that an average of 181 aid trucks enter each day, well below the target of 500.
“Israel is going above and beyond on the humanitarian situation,” Netanyahu’s statement said.
Palestinian children wait in water queues to meet their daily water needs as they live in makeshift tents under limited means and difficult conditions in Rafah, Gaza on 17 April. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the visiting foreign ministers of Germany and Britain for their support on Wednesday but said Israel would reach its own decisions on its security. “They have all sorts of suggestions and advice. I appreciate that. But I want to make it clear – we will make our own decisions, and the state of Israel will do everything necessary to defend itself”. Israel is still expected to respond to the unprecedented state-on-state attacked launched at it by Iran at the weekend.
Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi warned in Tehran on Wednesday morning that the “tiniest” invasion by Israel on Iranian soil would bring a “massive and harsh” response. Raisi said the weekend’s attack was a limited one, and that if Iran had wanted to carry out a bigger attack, “nothing would remain from the Zionist regime”. Raisi was speaking at Iran’s national army day parade. At the same event, Iranian army chief commander, Maj Gen Abdolrahim Mousavi, said that any aggression against Iran’s interests will be met with a “firm and regret-inducing response”.
German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said she made clear to Netanyahu that the Middle East must not be allowed to slide into a situation whose outcome is completely unpredictable. “Because that would serve no one,” she said. “Not Israel’s security, not the many dozens of hostages still in the hands of Hamas, not the suffering population of Gaza, not the many people in Iran who are themselves suffering under the regime, and not the third countries in the region who simply want to live in peace.”
UK foreign minister David Cameron has also called for restraint, saying while it was clear the Israelis were preparing to act, the UK “hopes they do so in a way that does as little to escalate this as possible”.
The 25 crew members of the MSC Aries, which was seized by Iran on 13 April, are safe, shipping firm MSC said on Wednesday, adding that discussions with Iranian authorities are in progress to secure their earliest release. “We are also working with the Iranian authorities to have the cargo discharged,” the Swiss headquartered company said in a statement.
Netanyahu’s office issued a statement which also said he had told Cameron and Baerbock that Israel rejected claims by international organizations that there was starvation in Gaza. In March the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) stated that 1.1 million people in the Gaza Strip were experiencing catastrophic food insecurity.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas to secure a truce in Gaza and a release of hostages have stalled, Qatar’s prime minister said on Wednesday. “We are going through a sensitive stage with some stalling, and we are trying as much as possible to address this,” he said.
At least 18 people were injured earlier, one critically, when what appears to have been a Hezbollah-fired rocket or drone hit a community centre in the northern border village of Arab al-Aramshe. Israel’s military said it subsequently struck at the source of the projectile. It marks the third consecutive day Hezbollah strikes have injured people inside Israel.
Palestinian news agency Wafa reports that Israel has “intensified airstrikes on Gaza City and the central Gaza Strip, killing dozens and injuring others with various wounds, amid widespread property destruction”. The Hamas-led health authority in Gaza said Israel’s military offensive had now killed 33,899 people since 7 October.
Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan met Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Tuesday during a visit to Qatar to discuss humanitarian aid to Gaza, ceasefire efforts and hostages, it was revealed. Haniyeh will visit Turkey at the weekend to hold talks with Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Israel’s government has accelerated the construction of settlements across East Jerusalem, with more than 20 projects totalling thousands of housing units having been approved or advanced since the start of the war in Gaza six months ago, planning documents show.
Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani on Wednesday called on Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza. The call comes ahead of Tajani hosting a G7 foreign ministers meeting which is expected to press for further sanctions on Iran.
The US is also expected to impose new sanctions, with national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, saying they will target Tehran’s missile and drone program, Revolutionary Guards and defence ministry.
Israel’s cabinet on Wednesday approved a five-year, 19bn shekel ($5bn) plan to rebuild and strengthen communities near the Gaza border after the 7 October attack by Hamas militants, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. Netanyahu said Israel would invest the funds in housing, infrastructure, education, employment, health and other areas.
Al Jazeera confirmed that Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner general of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (Unrwa), will brief the Security Council at a meeting requested by Jordan. According to the report, the session is due to begin at 7pm GMT/8pm BST on Wednesday.
Crew of ship seized by Iran are safe, operator MSC says
The 25 crew members of the MSC Aries, which was seized by Iran on 13 April, are safe, shipping firm MSC said on Wednesday, adding that discussions with Iranian authorities are in progress to secure their earliest release.
“We are also working with the Iranian authorities to have the cargo discharged,” the Swiss headquartered company said in a statement, reports Reuters.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seized the container vessel in the strait of Hormuz days after Tehran vowed to retaliate for a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus on 1 April. Iran had said it could close the crucial shipping route.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the leading seafarers’ union, said on Wednesday that their priority was the welfare and safety of the seafarers onboard.
“I can confirm the ITF has been in touch with family of the crew on board MSC Aries – who have reported today they’re safe and being treated reasonably,” ITF inspectorate coordinator Steve Trowsdale told Reuters. “We continue to call on the Iranian authorities to urgently release the crew and the vessel.”
Portugal’s foreign ministry summoned Iran’s ambassador on Tuesday to condemn Saturday’s attack on Israel by Tehran and to demand the immediate release of the Portuguese-flagged ship.
Iran’s foreign ministry said on Monday that the MSC Aries was seized for “violating maritime laws”, adding that there was no doubt the vessel was linked to Israel. MSC leases the Aries from Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime. Zodiac is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer.
Israel’s cabinet on Wednesday approved a five-year, 19bn shekel ($5bn) plan to rebuild and strengthen communities near the Gaza border after the 7 October attack by Hamas militants, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said, according to Reuters.
Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would invest the funds in housing, infrastructure, education, employment, health and other areas.
“Hamas terrorists wanted to uproot us – but we will uproot them and deepen our roots,” he said in a statement. “We will build the Land of Israel and protect our country.”
His office said local communities would work with government ministries, and along with the business sector and philanthropy, to bring the region to be a “vital, flourishing and attractive area”.
Al Jazeera has confirmed that Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner general of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (Unrwa), will brief the Security Council at a meeting requested by Jordan.
According to the report, the session is due to begin at 7pm GMT/8pm BST.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the visiting foreign ministers of Germany and Britain for their support on Wednesday but said Israel would reach its own decisions on its security. “They have all sorts of suggestions and advice. I appreciate that. But I want to make it clear – we will make our own decisions, and the state of Israel will do everything necessary to defend itself”. Israel is still expected to respond to the unprecedented state-on-state attacked launched at it by Iran at the weekend.
Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi warned in Tehran on Wednesday morning that the tiniest strike by Israel on Iranian soil would bring a “massive and harsh” response. Raisi said the weekend’s attack was a limited one, and that if Iran had wanted to carry out a bigger attack, “nothing would remain from the Zionist regime”. Raisi was speaking at Iran’s national army day parade. At the same event, Iranian army chief commander, Maj Gen Abdolrahim Mousavi, said that any aggression against Iran’s interests will be met with a “firm and regret-inducing response”.
German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said she made clear to Netanyahu that the Middle East must not be allowed to slide into a situation whose outcome is completely unpredictable. “Because that would serve no one,” she said. “Not Israel’s security, not the many dozens of hostages still in the hands of Hamas, not the suffering population of Gaza, not the many people in Iran who are themselves suffering under the regime, and not the third countries in the region who simply want to live in peace.”
UK foreign minister David Cameron has also called for restraint, saying while it was clear the Israelis were preparing to act, the UK “hopes they do so in a way that does as little to escalate this as possible”.
Netanyahu’s office issued a statement which also said he had told Cameron and Baerbock that Israel rejected claims by international organizations that there was starvation in Gaza. In March the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) stated that 1.1 million people in the Gaza Strip were experiencing catastrophic food insecurity.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas to secure a truce in Gaza and a release of hostages have stalled, Qatar’s prime minister said on Wednesday. “We are going through a sensitive stage with some stalling, and we are trying as much as possible to address this,” he said.
18 people were injured earlier, one critically, when what appears to have been a Hezbollah-fired rocket or drone hit a community centre in the northern border village of Arab al-Aramshe. Israel’s military said it subsequently struck at the source of the projectile. It marks the third consecutive day Hezbollah strikes have injured people inside Israel.
Palestinian news agency Wafa reports that Israel has “intensified airstrikes on Gaza City and the central Gaza Strip, killing dozens and injuring others with various wounds, amid widespread property destruction”. The Hamas-led health authority in Gaza said Israel’s military offensive had now killed 33,899 people since 7 October.
Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan met Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Tuesday during a visit to Qatar to discuss humanitarian aid to Gaza, ceasefire efforts and hostages, it was revealed. Haniyeh will visit Turkey at the weekend to hold talks with Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Israel’s government has accelerated the construction of settlements across East Jerusalem, with more than 20 projects totalling thousands of housing units having been approved or advanced since the start of the war in Gaza six months ago, planning documents show.
Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani on Wednesday called on Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza. The call comes ahead of Tajani hosting a G7 foreign ministers meeting which is expected to press for further sanctions on Iran.
The US is also expected to impose new sanctions, with national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, saying they will target Tehran’s missile and drone program, Revolutionary Guards and defence ministry.
The Times of Israel is now reporting that 18 people were injured earlier, one critically, when what appears to have been a Hezbollah-fired rocket or drone hit a community centre in the northern border village of Arab al-Aramshe.
Israel’s military said it subsequently struck at the source of the projectile.
Zeina Khodr, a senior correspondent for Al Jazeera, notes this is the third consecutive day there have been injuries on the Israeli side of the UN-drawn blue line that separates Israel from Lebanon inflicted by Hezbollah.
A Turkish diplomatic source has revealed to Reuters that Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan met Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Tuesday during a visit to Qatar to discuss humanitarian aid to Gaza, ceasefire efforts and hostages,
It was announced earlier today that Haniyeh will visit Turkey at the weekend to hold talks with Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
A little more from Annalena Baerbock here, who in her press conference at the Ben Gurion international airport in Israel, said:
Everyone must now act prudently and responsibly. I’m not talking about giving in, I’m talking about wise restraint, which is nothing less than strength.
Israel has already shown strength in its defensive victory at the weekend. Because it can defend itself with strong partners and states in the region. And by making it clear to the Iranian regime how much Iran has miscalculated and is isolated.
The countries in the region also do not want to become a substitute battlefield. One of the strongest weapons against Iran is the desire of people in all countries in the region to simply live in peace.
German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said she made clear during talks in Israel with Benjamin Netanyahu that the Middle East must not be allowed to slide into a situation whose outcome is completely unpredictable.
“Because that would serve no one,” she said. “Not Israel’s security, not the many dozens of hostages still in the hands of Hamas, not the suffering population of Gaza, not the many people in Iran who are themselves suffering under the regime, and not the third countries in the region who simply want to live in peace.”
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock delivers a statement at Ben Gurion international airport in Israel. Photograph: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters
Baerbock was visiting Israel for the seventh time since Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 October. She is now heading to the G7 foreign ministers meeting in Italy.
Netanyahu: 'we will make our own decisions' about response to Tehran strikes
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the visiting foreign ministers of Germany and Britain for their support on Wednesday but said Israel would reach its own decisions on its security.
“They have all sorts of suggestions and advice. I appreciate that. But I want to make it clear – we will make our own decisions, and the state of Israel will do everything necessary to defend itself,” Reuters reports he said, according to a statement released by his office.
Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi warned in Tehran on Wednesday morning that the tiniest strike by Israel om Iranian soil would bring a “massive and harsh” response. Raisi said the weekend’s attack was a limited one, and that if Iran had wanted to carry out a bigger attack, “nothing would remain from the Zionist regime.”
Earlier the UK foreign secretary David Cameron had said he hoped Israel would show restraint and be “smart but tough” after the unprecedented direct state-on-state attack by Iran on Israel which used over 300 weapons.
It is clear Israel is making a decision to respond to Iran's attack, says David Cameron – video
The statement from the Israeli prime minister also said that he had briefed Cameron and Annalena Baerbock on the scope of humanitarian aid entering Gaza, and Netanyahu said he rejected claims by international organizations that there was starvation in Gaza.
Palestinian children wait in line to receive food distributed by charity organizations as Israeli attacks continue in Khan Younis. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
In March the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) stated that 1.1 million people in the Gaza Strip were experiencing catastrophic food insecurity and that famine was imminent.
In its latest update yesterday, the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, said “There has been no significant change in the volume of humanitarian supplies entering Gaza or improved access to the north,” adding that an average of 181 aid trucks enter each day, well below the target of 500.
“Israel is going above and beyond on the humanitarian situation,” Netanyahu’s statement said.
Palestinian children wait in water queues to meet their daily water needs as they live in makeshift tents under limited means and difficult conditions in Rafah, Gaza on 17 April. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
