Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has made a provocative statement against Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declaring that he “cannot continue to exist” following a wave of Iranian missile strikes across Israel, including one near Soroka Medical Centre in Beersheba.

During a visit to an impact site in Holon, Katz stated, “A dictator like Khamenei, who has made the destruction of Israel his mission, cannot continue to exist.” He drew a stark historical comparison, saying, “If the State of Israel and the IDF had existed during the Holocaust, we would have gone into Hitler’s bunker and eliminated him. Khamenei is the modern Hitler.”

Katz revealed that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to escalate attacks on strategic Iranian targets, including governmental sites in Tehran, to neutralize threats and weaken the Ayatollah regime.

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 Netanyahu echoed the warning, saying Iran would “pay the price” for its precision missile attacks that struck military facilities in central Israel early Thursday.

According to Israeli public broadcaster KAN, between 20 and 30 Iranian missiles struck areas including Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Holon, and the Soroka Hospital in Beersheba. Iran’s state media IRNA confirmed the missiles targeted Israeli military and intelligence headquarters near the hospital, noting that the shockwaves also caused injuries at the medical facility.

Israeli authorities reported at least 65 people injured in the latest round of Iranian strikes, signaling a dangerous escalation in the ongoing confrontation between the two regional powers.