Netanyahu vows Iran will pay ‘very heavy price’ after deadly missile strikes

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran will pay a “very heavy price” for targeting Israel’s civilians, while visiting the site of the early-morning Iranian missile strike on a Bat Yam apartment building, where six Israelis were killed and dozens more wounded.

“Iran will pay a very heavy price for the murder of civilians — women, children — that it carried out deliberately. We will achieve our objectives, and we will strike them with overwhelming force,” says Netanyahu according to a readout from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Four other people were killed in the northern Arab town of Tamra.

“We are here because we are in an existential battle — one that is now clear to every citizen of Israel. Think about what would happen if Iran had a nuclear weapon to drop on Israel’s cities,” the premier says.

“Think about what would happen if Iran had 20,000 missiles like this one — not one, but 20,000. That is an existential threat to Israel. That is why we launched a war of rescue… and we are doing so with strength. Our soldiers, our pilots, are above the skies of Iran,” he continues.

“On behalf of the entire people of Israel, I express sorrow over the loss of life that occurred here,” the premier continues, urging Israeli citizens to heed the instructions of the Home Front Command during missile attacks.

“Protect your souls, protect your bodies, protect your lives — and together, with God’s help, we will win. We are on the path to victory,” he tells the Israeli public.