Opposition Leader Lapid: Israel Acts To Keep Citizens Safe Amid Regional Conflict

Israel’s Opposition Leader, Yair Lapid, said on Thursday that the country is engaged in a “just war” aimed at protecting its citizens from terrorist threats. Speaking to reporters, Lapid highlighted ongoing attacks in northern Israel, where drones and rockets from Hezbollah and Iran are targeting civilian areas.

“If you want to know why it is that we’re fighting this war here up in the Israeli north, it’s because if there will be a siren right now you’d better run, otherwise in 10 seconds you’ll be dead because Hezbollah terror organisation is bombing this area. Iran is sending drones and rockets over to this area and you won’t have enough time to hide,” Lapid said. “So what we are doing is fighting a just war in order to make sure that all Israelis are safe and not being harmed by terror organisations or terror regimes.”

The remarks come amid ongoing hostilities in West Asia following joint United States-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, which reportedly killed late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior military commanders. In retaliation, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks on Israel, US forces, and regional capitals.

Also Read: Israel Begins Wide-Scale Strikes on Tehran and Southern Iran After Missile Attack

Israel’s Health Ministry reported that 179 people were treated in hospitals over the past 24 hours due to the conflict, including civilians and soldiers. Most patients were in stable condition, with four in moderate condition and 18 treated for anxiety. Since the conflict began on February 28, 2,745 people have been admitted to hospitals, with 85 still hospitalized, including 11 in serious condition, 10 in moderate, and 64 in good condition. Many injuries are believed to have occurred as civilians sought shelter rather than from direct missile strikes.

Earlier on Thursday, Israel’s military said that Iran launched a ballistic missile attack, the fourth since midnight. The missile was intercepted, and no casualties were reported. Sirens were sounded in Jerusalem, southern regions, and the West Bank as precautionary measures.

The ongoing hostilities continue to put civilian populations at risk, with authorities emphasizing emergency preparedness and rapid response while Israel maintains its defensive and counteroffensive operations in the north.

Also Read: Iran Says European Support at UN Emboldened US and Israel to Attack