Jerusalem, 27 July, 2025 (TPS-IL) — In his first public remarks since Israel began air drops of humanitarian aid into Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel would continue allowing the delivery of “minimal” supplies.
“In any route chosen, we will have to continue to allow the entry of minimal humanitarian supplies. We have done that up until now,” Netanyahu said during a visit to the Ramon Air Force Base in the Negev.
The comments marked a reversal from March, when Netanyahu suspended aid deliveries.
At least 1,180 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 50 remaining hostages, around 30 are believed to be dead.
Defense Minister Israel Katz, who joined Netanyahu at the base, issued a direct threat to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warning of personal consequences if Iran continues to menace Israel.
“I want to send a clear message to the dictator Khamenei: If you continue to threaten Israel, our long arm will once again reach Iran, with even greater force—and this time, it will reach you personally,” Katz said while standing alongside the Prime Minister. “Do not threaten us, or you will be harmed.”
They were addressing air force crews involved in the June air strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure.
“Thank you for the incredible work… when you opened the skies to Tehran, struck repeatedly at the head of the Iranian octopus, and removed threats of annihilation,” Katz said.
Israel launched preemptive strikes against Iranian nuclear sites on June 13, citing intelligence that Tehran had reached “a point of no return” in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. According to Israeli defense officials, Iran has developed the capacity to rapidly enrich uranium and assemble nuclear bombs, with sufficient fissile material for up to 15 weapons.
Israeli intelligence also exposed a covert program to complete all components of a nuclear device. The strikes marked a dramatic escalation in what officials describe as a broader Iranian strategy combining nuclear development, missile proliferation, and proxy warfare aimed at Israel’s destruction.
During 12 days of fighting, Iranian missile strikes killed 28 Israelis and injured over 3,000.
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