Netanyahu: We Will Strike Our Enemies, and They Will Pay a Price for Their Aggression

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced at the end of a meeting of the security cabinet that Israel's response would begin tonight and that it would impose a heavy cost on its enemies. Netanyahu called for easing tensions while also indicating that he would strike "Israel's enemies," asserting they "will pay a price for their aggression." He stated, "We will act decisively against the extremists who use violence," and in a televised speech following the security meeting, he expressed no desire to change the status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem. Internal disagreements cannot prevent a response, he said, adding, "Internal disputes will not stop us from confronting our enemies on all fronts." The Israeli Broadcasting Authority noted that Netanyahu did not blame anyone in his speech, describing this as "noteworthy." In related developments, it reported that the U.S. embassy had requested its employees to stay away from the northern border due to security conditions.