i24NEWS DESK | Israel's caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised US President Donald Trump for authorizing the drone strike that killed Qasem Soleimani, the powerful commander of Iran's Quds force. In his speech at a summit in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said Soleimani was behind deaths of "countless" innocents and sowed "fear, and misery, and anguish" -- and was planning to do even worse.
Thus, Trump's resolve in the attack must be praised, Netanyahu said, speaking hours after Iran launched some 22 ballistic missiles at two bases hosting US troops in Iraq.
He also said that Israel stood by the US, and that Washington had no better friend than Israel -- and warned that a "resounding blow" would follow if Iran was to attack the Jewish state.
"Anyone who attacks us will receive a resounding blow," the premier told a Jerusalem conference after Iran launched a salvo retaliatory missile strikes on bases used by US troops in Iraq.
Earlier, Netanyahu was cited as saying that while he supported the strike, Israel was not part of the story as far as Soleimani's killing went -- and should not be dragged into it.
Previous reports also suggested that the US gave Israel a heads-up regarding the upcoming operation against the Quds force commander.
Speaking before Netanyahu, the outgoing US envoy to Israel David Friedman said there were no US casualties in the Iranian attack early on Wednesday.
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