'We will continue operating throughout Lebanon'

Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir [Reuters]
Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir [Reuters]

The Israel Defense Forces warned Sunday that they would strike Iran "powerfully, the moment the order is given," after Iran launched missiles toward Israel.

The IDF said in a statement that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir made the remarks during a situation assessment meeting, according to AFP.

"The Iranian terror regime has again made a grave mistake by choosing the path of terrorism," Zamir said. "The IDF will continue to operate throughout Lebanon and will further intensify its actions against the Hezbollah terrorist organization."

Iran fired the missiles at northern Israel earlier that day in retaliation for an IDF airstrike on Beirut, the Lebanese capital.

The IDF said its air defense systems intercepted all incoming missiles.

It was the first Iranian attack on Israeli territory since a truce between the United States and Iran took effect on April 8.

Armed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon, continued throughout the truce period and ultimately drew Iran into a retaliatory strike, further complicating US-Iran talks on ending the war.


mokiya@heraldcorp.com