Katz orders IDF to destabilize Iranian regime by attacking its symbols
(JNS) — Defense Minister Israel Katz on Friday morning instructed the IDF to intensify its attacks on the Iranian regime with the aim to “destabilize” it.
“We must strike at all symbols of the regime and its mechanisms of population repression, such as the Basij, and at the regime’s power base, such as the Revolutionary Guards,” Katz said during a situation assessment with leaders of the Israeli defense establishment.
Katz said, “This should lead to a widespread evacuation of the population from Tehran, in order to destabilize the regime and enhance deterrence in response to the missile fire on Israel’s home front. This is in addition to continued targeting of facilities and scientists to thwart Iran’s nuclear program, until all the objectives of the operation are fully achieved.”
Israeli Navy secures arrival of ship carrying 1,500 returning Israelis
(JNS) — The Israel Defense Forces facilitated the entry to an Israeli port early on Friday morning of a passenger ship with 1,500 Israelis on board, as part of the Ministry of Transport’s “Operation Safe Return.”
The ship, which embarked from the Port of Limassol in Cyprus, docked at Ashdod Port at 4:30 a.m., the military said.
The ship was accompanied by an Israeli Navy missile boat; personnel from the IDF Home Front Command’s Alon Headquarters welcomed the returnees.
The passengers returned home via shuttle buses organized by the Transport Ministry in a “quick and efficient” operation, the IDF said.
Iranian missile hits Beersheva hospital; 6 seriously wounded
(JNS) — At least six people were seriously wounded by an Iranian missile barrage on Israel on Thursday morning. Beersheva’s Soroka Medical Center sustained a direct hit, and impacts were also reported in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan and Holon.
Four serious injuries were caused by a direct hit on a residential building in Holon, south of Tel Aviv, according to Wolfson Medical Center. The hospital said it was also treating 19 people listed in mild condition.
As of Thursday afternoon, the number of injured stood at more than 200, including at least 147 in the greater Tel Aviv region and around 60 in Beersheva. The figures include those injured while running to shelters, individuals suffering from anxiety, and hurt people who arrived independently at hospitals.
Defense Minister Katz: Khamenei ‘cannot continue to exist’
(JNS) — Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is a “modern Hitler” who “cannot continue exist,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday.
“A dictator like Khamenei, who leads Iran and has made the destruction of Israel his banner — cannot be allowed to continue to exist,” said Katz.
The military “has been instructed and knows that — to achieve all goals — this man should no longer continue to exist, without question,” said the defense minister, speaking at the site where an Iranian ballistic missile hit an apartment building in Holon, south of Tel Aviv, wounding 10.
