'They are targeting only civilians!' – Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar accuses Iran of war crimes

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused the Iranian regime of war crimes on Tuesday during a visit to the site of the ballistic missile strike in Rishon LeZion, where two Israeli civilians were killed on the second night of the war.

"You can see here the results of the Iranian war crimes. The Iranian regime is targeting civilians,” Sa’ar said. “They are targeting only civilians! You can not find a single soldier that is dead after their attacks.” 

The foreign minister compared Iran’s launch of ballistic missiles into civilian areas, with Israel’s precise strikes on military targets in Iran. 

“They are targeting civilians – while we target their nuclear program, their missiles program, and military objectives,” Sa’ar said. “At the same time, they deliberately target only civilians and population centers.” 

While visiting the site with Rishon LeZion's mayor, Ray Kinstlich, Sa’ar also told Israelis that “It is very important – as the Mayor is always emphasizing – to obey instructions given by relevant officials during emergencies, during the time when there are sirens.” 

Israel is fighting against a regime which threatens the world, not just Israel, according to Sa'ar.

“The most important thing to understand is who we are fighting with,” he stated. “It is to understand this equation: They are targeting civilians while we are trying to prevent a huge threat. First of all to Israel's existence. But also to the region as a whole, to Europe and to world order.” 

Sa’ar echoed some of these comments in a meeting with the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee later on Tuesday.

Channel 14 News political correspondent Tamir Morag reported Tuesday that in a confidential briefing to members of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Sa'ar stated, "The reports about the negotiations to end the fighting in Iran are not true. We know what our goals are – and we will reach them. Expect more surprises in the coming days.” 

At the start of the meeting, Sa’ar reportedly said that whoever is chosen to be the replacement in the position of chief of staff of Iran's military forces should “consider carefully” whether to accept the position. 

“This morning we were informed that our forces have eliminated the Iranian chief of staff, we still do not know who will be the replacement,” Sa’ar told the committee. “I would advise those who are offered the position to consider carefully – the more they answer in the affirmative, the more caution is recommended for them.” 

Sa'ar reiterated that Israel’s military operation is meant to deal with an existential threat to the Jewish state, but stated that it benefits the world. 

“We have acted to remove an existential threat to us – and this directly contributes to the security of the world,” Sa’ar stated, according to Israel Hayom.