Netanyahu Says Israel 'Striking Enemies' as Attack Expected

Israel's incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (EPA)
Israel's incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (EPA)
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Netanyahu Says Israel 'Striking Enemies' as Attack Expected

Israel's incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (EPA)
Israel's incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (EPA)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was hitting its enemies and "continuing forward to victory" on Wednesday as the country braced for an expected attack by Iran and its proxies.

Israel was "determined to defend" itself following threats of retaliation after its killing of a top Hezbollah commander and following the death of Hamas's former chief Ismail Haniyeh.

"We are continuing forward to victory," the premier told new recruits at the Tel Hashomer military induction in Tel Aviv, AFP reported.

"I know that the citizens of Israel are concerned, and I ask one thing of you: be patient and level-headed.

"We are prepared both defensively and offensively. We are striking our enemies and are determined to defend ourselves."

Israel claimed the killing of Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut last week. It has not commented on the death of Haniyeh in Tehran.

However, both Iran and Hamas blamed Israel for Haniyeh's assassination and, along with Iran-linked Lebanese group Hezbollah, threatened reprisals.

Separately, Israeli government spokesman David Mencer told reporters, "This country is able to defend itself, and of course, both in ways which our enemies have seen, but also in ways they have not seen."

He added: "We know how to deal with this Iranian menace... together with our allies, we are able to stand up to them."



Tunisian President Sacks Prime Minister

Tunisian President Kais Saied attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China May 31, 2024. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/Pool/File photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Tunisian President Kais Saied attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China May 31, 2024. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/Pool/File photo Purchase Licensing Rights
TT

Tunisian President Sacks Prime Minister

Tunisian President Kais Saied attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China May 31, 2024. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/Pool/File photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Tunisian President Kais Saied attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China May 31, 2024. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/Pool/File photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Tunisian President Kais Saied sacked Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani and appointed Social Affairs Minister Kamel Maddouri as his replacement, the Tunisian presidency said in a statement late on Wednesday.

Hachani was named as Tunisia's prime minister in August last year. A few hours before he was dismissed, Hachani said in a video message that the government had made progress on a number of issues despite global challenges, including securing the country's food and energy needs.

According to Reuters, the dismissal comes amid popular discontent with the recurring water and electricity outage crisis in many parts of the country. While the government says that Tunisia is suffering from a continuous drought that has led to a quota system in water distribution, Saied sees the water cuts as a conspiracy ahead of presidential election and says that the dams are full.

The agriculture ministry says that the dam level is extremely critical and has reached 25 percent.

Saied announced his candidacy for the presidential elections in October amid

widespread criticism

from the opposition, human rights groups and candidates for restricting and intimidating competitors to pave the way for him to win a second term.