Netanyahu: Israel faces 'challenging days' ahead

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told citizens in Israel to be ready for "challenging days" ahead, following a dramatic escalation of tensions with Iran and Hamas.

"We are prepared for every scenario and will stand united against all threats," Netanyahu said after a meeting of the Israeli security cabinet at military headquarters in Tel Aviv.

"Israel will exact a high price for any aggression against us, from any front," he said.

He was speaking after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran and Hamas blame Israel for the strike and have threatened Israel with retaliation.

The government in Jerusalem has not yet directly commented on whether it was behind the attack.

"Since the beginning of the war, I have declared that we are fighting against the Iranian axis of evil," Netanyahu said in his televised address.

"This is a fight for survival against a ring of terrorist armies and missiles that Iran wants to tighten around our necks."

The main players are Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen, he said. Israel has recently dealt hard blows to all three players.

"We will settle the score with anyone who harms us," he said.