Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would reach its own decisions on its security amid concerns about Israel’s response to recent Iranian strikes.
This came as Netanyahu met British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock in his office in Jerusalem.
The region is braced for the potential escalation of violence as Israel mulls its response to an attack by Iran over the weekend in retaliation to a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu said, “I thank our friends for their support in defending Israel…support both in words and support in actions.”
“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.”
Benjamin Netanyahu
The statement from Netanyahu’s office also revealed that he briefed Cameron and Baerbock on the scope of humanitarian aid entering Gaza, adding that Netanyahu rejected claims by international organizations that there was starvation in Gaza.
“Israel is going above and beyond on the humanitarian situation,” Netanyahu’s statement said.
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.
Last week, Samantha Power, the director of the US Agency for International Development, said famine was already occurring in northern Gaza.
In its latest update on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 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.”
It added that an average of 181 aid trucks enter each day, well below the target of 500.
Speaking to reporters, Baerbock said she made clear during talks with 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,” Baerbock added.
“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,” she urged.
“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.”
Annalena Baerbock
UK Foreign Minister, David Cameron 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.”
Iran Iterates Retaliation To Further Israeli Attacks
Meanwhile, Iran’s President, Ebrahim Raisi warned in Tehran on Wednesday that the tiniest strike by Israel on Iranian soil would bring a “massive and harsh” response.
Raisi said that Iran’s attack on Israel was a limited one, and that if Iran had wanted to carry out a bigger attack, “nothing would remain from the Zionist regime.”
Iranian army chief commander, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, also stated that any aggression against Iran’s interests will be met with a “firm and regret-inducing response.”
“We are ready to fight possible evil acts, and what we showcased across the country today was a small part of our capabilities,” Mousavi told reporters on the sideline of the parade of the Iran army on National Army Day.
He stressed that any aggression against Iran’s interests will be met with a strong and regret-inducing response, and if the enemies commit any act of aggression, “we will respond with more deadly weapons.”
He added that Iranian armed forces are always ready to carry out missions in the best possible way, considering the enemies that the country has.
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