Israeli Ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, has stated that Israel is “preventing all-out war” following Iran’s missile strikes targeting Israeli cities. The ambassador claimed Israel’s actions are making Lebanon and the surrounding regions “a better place.”
Iran launched nearly 200 missiles at Israeli targets last night, marking only the second time Tehran has directly attacked Israel. However, Israel’s advanced air defense systems intercepted most of the strikes, with no major injuries reported.
Israel’s Ground Offensive in Lebanon
In response to the attacks, Israel has announced plans to send more troops into Lebanon, a nation closely aligned with Iran. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Hotovely defended Israel’s military actions, saying they were aimed at minimizing terrorism in the region.
“When Israel eliminates these terror proxies of Iran, we are reducing problems across the Middle East. We’re making Lebanon and Syria safer places,” Hotovely claimed.
The ambassador emphasized the long-standing threat posed by Iran, stating: “If we choose appeasement, Iran—a regime actively seeking nuclear capabilities—will continue to destabilize the Middle East.”
Iran’s Attack on Israel
Last night’s missile barrage saw 182 rockets fired at Israeli cities, with many intercepted before reaching civilian areas. Hotovely condemned the strikes, comparing the severity of the situation to a large-scale attack on British cities like London or Birmingham.
“The Iranian regime intended to target Israeli civilians in a massive attack. I don’t think Britain would have coped with 182 rockets targeting major cities. This is what happened yesterday,” she said.
UK Stands with Israel
The ambassador’s comments followed a statement by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who reiterated the UK’s support for Israel. Starmer confirmed that British forces had assisted in repelling the missile strikes and reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself.
Defence Secretary John Healey also praised the role of British forces, saying, “The UK stands fully behind Israel’s right to defend its country and its people against threats.”
Israeli Retaliation and Iran’s Role
Hotovely warned that Iran would face consequences for its attack, stating: “The Iranians will pay a major price for what they did yesterday. Iran has created a circle of fire around Israel with its proxies, and we are eliminating these threats one by one.”
She also noted Israel’s ongoing efforts to neutralize the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah, which has launched several attacks from Lebanon in recent weeks.
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