JERUSALEM, Nov. 8 — Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday that Israel’s mission against Iran is “not yet complete,” reiterating allegations that Tehran is seeking to revive efforts to obtain nuclear weapons, which Iran has denied repeatedly.
Katz made the remarks at a memorial ceremony, adding that Israel “cannot accept these threats” and would act as necessary.
Israel is “more determined than ever” to “preempt threats and pursue a proactive and offensive policy against its enemies,” he said.
Katz also vowed that Israeli troops would not withdraw from areas they occupy in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, warning that Hezbollah would face severe strikes if it joined Iran in an attack on Israel.
He urged Israelis to unite “ahead of the major tasks that still lie before us” when national security is at stake.
His remarks came as opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot seeks to form a government following an election that deprived Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc of its parliamentary majority.
Katz offered no evidence to support his claim on Iran. On Oct. 27, International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said the UN nuclear watchdog had detected no Iranian efforts to repair or rebuild nuclear facilities damaged in the United States and Israeli strikes in 2025 and 2026, though inspectors’ limited access has prevented full verification of Iran’s nuclear activities.
(Namibia Daily News/Xinhua)
