On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed critics of Israel’s pre-emptive air strikes against Iran in the Middle East. Israel reportedly launched a series of air strikes against Iran-backed militias in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

In response to Hezbollah, Netanyahu said “I heard Nasrallah’s remarks. I suggest that Nasrallah relax. He knows very well that the State of Israel knows how to defend itself and how to pay back its enemies.”

Netanyahu is responding to the barrage of rocket attacks and bombs that threatened communities in Southern Israel. This past week more than six rockets have target communities and the IDF said they ” struck a number of military targets in a Hamas naval facility in the northern Gaza strip.”

In response to the rocket fired from #Gaza to #Israel, we just struck a number of military targets in a Hamas naval facility in the northern Gaza Strip. — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 21, 2019

No injuries were reported Monday, due to Israel’s Iron Dome missile interception technology. Heightened attacks from Hamas, backed by Iran, over the past month have put the Israeli government on the defensive.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: I heard Nasrallah’s remarks. I suggest that Nasrallah relax. He knows very well that the State of Israel knows how to defend itself and how to pay back its enemies. pic.twitter.com/jyQufpzMqg — PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 27, 2019

President Donald Trump has made it clear that the U.S. government is backing Israel’s right to defend itself and Vice President Mike Pence told Netanyahu that the U.S. fully supports the Israeli government actions.

“Had a great conversation with Prime Minister @netanyahu this morning. The United States fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself from imminent threats. Under President @realDonaldTrump, America will always stand with Israel!” Pence said on Twitter.

Netanyahu accused Iran for backing the “terror attacks,” saying Israel will defend itself “by any means necessary”.

It comes after reports of strikes against Iranian targets and Iran-backed militias in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

Israel also thwarted an Iranian attack on Israel “using killer drones,” the government said.

“Iran is working on several fronts to carry out deadly attacks against the state of Israel. Israel will continue to defend its security by all means necessary,” Netanyahu said in a video statement.