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Netanyahu: Israel ‘Severely Damaged’ Iran’s Capabilities
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a cabinet meeting at the Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem on June 5, 2024. Photo: Gil Cohen-Magen/Pool via REUTERS
JNS.org – In his first public remarks since Israel’s attack on Iran overnight Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday stated that the operation was successful, while thanking Washington for backing Jerusalem.
“This is an existential war, a war on seven fronts, against the ‘Axis of Evil’ led by Iran. And in war, as in war—we exact a heavy toll on those who seek our lives,” the premier said.
“Three weeks ago, after we eliminated Iran’s top emissary, the arch-terrorist Hassan Nasrallah, Iran attacked Israel with hundreds of ballistic missiles. That attack failed. We promised then that it would be met with firmness—and in the early hours of Saturday morning, we fulfilled that promise,” said Netanyahu. “The air force struck across Iran, severely damaging its defense capabilities and its capacity to produce missiles aimed at us.”
Netanyahu was speaking at a memorial ceremony at Mount Herzl military cemetery as Israel observed a national day of mourning for the victims of the Hamas-led massacre of Oct. 7, 2023.
“All of this followed months of systematic action, according to a structured plan, to cut off Iran’s tentacles—Hezbollah and Hamas. Two days ago, we struck at the head of the octopus—the Iranian regime,” he continued.
“To the people of Iran, I say: our fight is not against you but against the tyrannical regime that oppresses you and threatens the entire region. This regime must understand a simple principle: Those who harm us will be harmed in return. This has been our guiding principle until now, and it will continue to guide us going forward.
“The attack on Iran was precise and powerful, achieving all its objectives. I want to extend my gratitude to all our commanders and soldiers in the IDF and security forces who took part in the operation. To the chief of staff, the air force commander, the air force pilots, the mechanics and all ground crews, the head of Military Intelligence and the intelligence community, the head of the Mossad, and the men and women of Mossad. I also want to thank the United States for its close coordination and assistance.
“Honored guests, citizens of Israel, great challenges still lie ahead. But standing together—we will overcome them. With our strength, we will defeat our enemies and bring a future of peace, prosperity, and growth to our state.”
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Israeli Strike on Tehran Kills Bodyguard of Slain Hezbollah Chief
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi lays a wreath as he visits the burial site of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, on the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, June 3, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
A member of Lebanese armed group Hezbollah was killed in an Israeli air strike on Tehran alongside a member of an Iran-aligned Iraqi armed group, a senior Lebanese security source told Reuters and the Iraqi group said on Saturday.
The source identified the Hezbollah member as Abu Ali Khalil, who had served as a bodyguard for Hezbollah’s slain chief Hassan Nasrallah. The source said Khalil had been on a religious pilgrimage to Iraq when he met up with a member of the Kataeb Sayyed Al-Shuhada group.
They traveled together to Tehran and were both killed in an Israeli strike there, along with Khalil’s son, the senior security source said. Hezbollah has not joined in Iran’s air strikes against Israel from Lebanon.
Kataeb Sayyed Al-Shuhada published a statement confirming that both the head of its security unit and Khalil had been killed in an Israeli strike.
Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli aerial attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs in September.
Israel and Iran have been trading strikes for nine consecutive days since Israel launched attacks on Iran, saying Tehran was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Iran has said it does not seek nuclear weapons.
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Hamas Financial Officer and Commander Eliminated by IDF in the Gaza Strip
Israeli soldiers operate during a ground operation in the southern Gaza Strip, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, July 3, 2024. Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg/Pool via REUTERS
i24 News – The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), in cooperation with the General Security Service (Shin Bet), announced on Friday the killing of Ibrahim Abu Shamala, a senior financial official in Hamas’ military wing.
The operation took place on June 17th in the central Gaza Strip.
Abu Shamala held several key positions, including financial officer for Hamas’ military wing and assistant to Marwan Issa, the deputy commander of Hamas’ military wing until his elimination in March 2024.
He was responsible for managing all the financial resources of Hamas’ military wing in Gaza, overseeing the planning and execution of the group’s war budget. This involved handling and smuggling millions of dollars into the Gaza Strip to fund Hamas’ military operations.
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Report: Wary of Assassination by Israel, Khamenei Names 3 Potential Successors
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, May 20, 2025. Photo: Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS
i24 News – Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei named three senior clerics as candidates to succeed him should he be killed, the New York Times reported on Saturday citing unnamed Iranian officials. It is understood the Ayatollah fears he could be assassinated in the coming days.
Khamenei reportedly mostly speaks with his commanders through a trusted aide now, suspending electronic communications.
Khamenei has designated three senior religious figures as candidates to replace him as well as choosing successors in the military chain of command in the likely event that additional senior officials be eliminated.
Earlier on Saturday Israel confirmed the elimination of Saeed Izadi and Bhanam Shahriari.
Shahriari, head of Iran’s Quds Force Weapons Transfer Unit, responsible for arming Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, was killed in an Israeli airstrike over 1,000 km from Israel in western Iran.
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