Israel’s Netanyahu thanks Trump for Iran war ‘support’

JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Donald Trump for his “support in defending Israel’s skies” on June 18, as Israel exchanged fire with Iran for a sixth day.

After decades of enmity and a prolonged shadow war, fighting broke out on June 13 when Israel

launched a massive bombing campaign

that prompted Iran to respond with missiles and drones.

“I want to thank President Trump, a great friend of the state of Israel,” Mr Netanyahu said, in a televised statement.

“I thank him for being at our side, and I thank him for the support of the United States in defending Israel’s skies.”

He added that Israel was striking Iran with “tremendous power”, while acknowleding that Israel had suffered “painful losses” in the war.

“We are striking the ayatollahs’ regime with tremendous power,” he said.

“We are hitting their nuclear programme, their missiles, their military headquarters, the symbols of their power.”

He added: “We are suffering numerous losses, painful losses. But the home front is solid, the people are strong and the state of Israel is stronger than ever.”

Since June 13, at least 24 people have been

killed in Israel

and hundreds wounded, according to Mr Netanyahu’s office.

Media in Israel is subject to strict restrictions from the military censor on the reporting of Iranian air strikes.

Iran said on June 15 that Israeli bombing had killed at least 224 people since fighting, including military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians. It has not issued an updated toll since then. AFP