Netanyahu reiterates that Israel will respond to Iranian attack

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that Israel will respond to the latest Iranian rocket attack.

"No country in the world would accept such an attack on its cities and citizens," Netanyahu said in an address on Saturday.

"Israel has the duty and the right to defend itself," the prime minister asserted.

The country would respond to the Iranian attacks. Netanyahu did not comment on the timing or nature of the response, however.

The prime minister also stated that Israel's army had destroyed "a large part" of the rocket arsenal of the Lebanese Hezbollah militia in its attacks on the neighbouring country. However, the threat posed by the Shiite organisation has not yet been completely eliminated.

Netanyahu claimed that Hezbollah was planning an even bigger massacre in northern Israel than that carried out by Hamas in the south of the country about a year ago. He pointed out that Israel has killed the Hezbollah commanders who had been planning this.

"While Israel is fighting against the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilised countries should stand firmly by Israel's side," Netanyahu warned.

While Western leaders called for arms embargoes against Israel, Iran does not impose such an embargo on Hezbollah or the Houthi militia in Yemen, for example, he asserted. "This axis of terror stands together."

French President Emmanuel Macron had previously called for an end to arms deliveries to Israel. Netanyahu condemned this in the strongest terms.

He emphasised that Israel is currently defending itself on several fronts. The country will continue to fight for peace and security in the world until the battle is won.