Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "seeks to inflict the same level of damage and destruction" on Lebanon as Israeli forces had wrought on the Gaza Strip, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told lawmakers on Wednesday.
Sanchez, who appeared before the lower house to explain his government's stance against the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, added that Iran's new Supreme Leader was more hardline than his predecessor.
"Mojtaba Khamenei is an equally dictatorial and even more bloodthirsty tyrant than his father," Sanchez said.
British police said they arrested two men in connection with the suspected antisemitic arson attack on four Jewish community ambulances in north London earlier this week.
Police said on Wednesday the men, aged 47 and 45, were arrested at addresses in north west London and central London respectively, and were being held in custody.
The ambulances were set on fire in the early hours of Monday morning in an attack which British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called a "deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack". No injuries were reported.
Police, who had previously said they were looking into a possible link to Iran, said the investigation continued, as CCTV footage had suggested there were at least three people involved.
An enhanced police presence remained in place around the affected communities in north London as a precaution, the police statement added.
In Britain, concern has mounted about rising levels of antisemitism, while authorities have also warned of the threat posed by Iran, including the surveillance or targeting of Jewish sites. Tehran has denied such accusations.
A missile fell overnight Wednesday inside a house under construction in Kiryat Shmona, Israel's northernmost city just a few kilometers from Lebanon, Municipality spokesman Doron Schnefer said.
In a video message from the municipality, Schnefer clarified that there were no casualties in the barrage launched at the city early this morning, and that only property and vehicles were damaged. According to him, in addition to the missile that hit the city, several other missiles were intercepted.
Sirens in Kiryat Shmona and surrounding areas. Interception in the early morning hours.@ZiratNews
"This is our reality here in Kiryat Shmona. Again sirens, again launches, again falls," he said.
The Israeli government has approved more than 110 million shekels in funding for communities near the northern border. About 60 million shekels will go to municipalities within 9 kilometers of the border to strengthen resilience, support community programs, and provide stress-relief measures.
Bomb shelters deployed in Israel's north, Wednesday.Credit: Spokesperson and Public Relations Division at the Ministry of DefenseBomb shelters deployed in Israel's north, Wednesday.Credit: Spokesperson and Public Relations Division at the Ministry of Defense
Another 50 million shekels will assist towns affected by rocket fire, helping residents cope with immediate challenges on the ground, according to a joint statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The Ministry of Defense said that 1,865 reinforced shelters are now deployed in communities along the northern border, with an additional 120 shelters added since the start of the war. The ministry plans to purchase hundreds more shelters for 81 million shekels, following the government decision. Renovation and upgrades of existing shelters in northern towns are also underway.
Credit: Spokesperson and Public Relations Division at the Ministry of Defense
The ministry noted that this support is in addition to compensation through property tax relief for rocket damage and funding for displaced residents' stays in hotels.
The Israeli Air Force, acting on IDF intelligence, struck two key naval cruise missile production sites in Tehran, according to an IDF statement.
@IDF
The targeted sites, according to the statement, operated under the command of the Iranian Ministry of Defense and were used by the Iranian regime to develop and manufacture long-range naval cruise missiles, capable of rapidly destroying targets at sea and on land.
Seven Iraqi army soldiers were killed and 13 people, mostly military personnel, wounded in airstrikes on a site belonging to the Shi'ite organization Al-Hashd al-Shaabi, which includes militias, some backed by Iran, near an army medical center in western Anbar, security sources and the defense ministry said on Wednesday.
Al Anbar Governorate
Smoke rose from the location following the attack. The ministry said the strike, which took place at around 0900 local time, hit a military clinic and a nearby engineering unit. Rescue teams were still searching the site for possible additional casualties.
The ministry condemned the strike as a "blatant and serious violation" of international laws and norms prohibiting attacks on medical facilities and personnel, describing it as a dangerous escalation and calling for those responsible to be held accountable.
It reserved the right to respond in accordance with legal frameworks, the ministry said.
Members from the Popular Mobilization Forces participate in the funeral in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, of members of the forces who were killed in a U.S. airstrike in Anbar, Iraq.Credit: Hadi Mizban/AP Members from the Popular Mobilization Forces participate in the funeral in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, of members of the forces who were killed in a U.S. airstrike in Anbar, Iraq.Credit: Hadi Mizban/AP
Earlier reports said that at least 15 people were killed in airstrikes targeting an Al-Hashd al-Shaabi site in the same province, including the organization's operations commander in Anbar.
Israel's National Security Council has issued a warning that the ongoing conflict with Iran is increasing the risk of terrorist attacks against Israelis and Jewish targets overseas.
A mass Passover Seder held by the Chabad House at Koh Samu.Credit: Chabad of Koh SamuiA mass Passover Seder held by the Chabad House at Koh Samu.Credit: Chabad of Koh Samui
Recent weeks have seen attacks and attempted attacks linked to Iran and its proxies, as well as lone extremists inspired by Iran. Incidents included explosives placed in synagogues in Belgium and the Netherlands, and an attempted attack at a synagogue in the United States.
The council said Israel faces a heightened likelihood of attacks targeting Israeli and Jewish individuals abroad. Large gatherings of Israelis during holiday periods are considered potential targets for both coordinated attacks and lone-perpetrator acts.
Ahead of the spring holidays – including Passover, Shavuot, Memorial Day, and Independence Day – the NSC urged all Israelis abroad to exercise increased vigilance. It strongly advised against attending unprotected or open-air Passover events.
Charred ambulances belonging to Jewish community organization Hatzola, set on fire in an antisemitic hate crime incident, in northwest London, Britain, Monday.Credit: Hannah McKay/ReutersCharred ambulances belonging to Jewish community organization Hatzola, set on fire in an antisemitic hate crime incident, in northwest London, Britain, Monday.Credit: Hannah McKay/Reuters
The NSC also advised Israelis to exercise extra caution in Thailand and the Philippines. When leaving or returning to Israel, it is preferable to do so via Ben Gurion Airport. If travelers must transit through Egypt or Jordan, the council recommends using only Taba Airport in Egypt or Aqaba Airport in Jordan, arriving solely for the flight and avoiding any extended stay.
Additional recommendations include avoiding stays in Sinai and steering clear of events abroad identified with Israel or Jewish communities, particularly in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the Gulf states.
