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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that almost a year after the Hamas attacks, his country is fighting on seven fronts. In a video message published by CNN on Saturday, he stressed that Israel is “defending itself on seven fronts against the enemies of civilisation”. These include Iranian-backed Hezbollah in the north, Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, “terrorists” in the West Bank, and Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria.
Netanyahu noted that Iran, which last week launched more than 200 ballistic missiles directly into Israel, is behind this multi-front war. He vowed to change the balance of power in the north between Israel and Lebanon, saying that since 8 October, Israel has carried out nearly 9,000 air strikes on Lebanon, while Hezbollah has responded with 1,500 strikes.
Discussing the situation in Gaza, Netanyahu stressed Israel’s right to self-defence and the obligation to return the 101 hostages, who must not be forgotten. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, at least 41,825 people have died in Gaza since 7 October last year.
The prime minister also criticised French President Emmanuel Macron and other countries calling for an arms embargo against Israel. “You can be sure that Israel will fight until victory – for our sake and for the sake of peace and security in the world,” he added.
According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, Israeli strikes in Lebanon over the past month have killed more than 1,400 people and injured nearly 7,500. The situation in the region remains tense, and forecasts for its development are worrying.
