Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel is hitting its enemies and “continuing forward to victory” as the country braces for an expected attack by Iran and its proxies, AFP reports.

“We are continuing forward to victory,” the premier told new recruits at the Tel Hashomer military induction in Tel Aviv.

“I know that the citizens of Israel are concerned, and I ask one thing of you: be patient and level-headed.

“We are prepared both defensively and offensively. We are striking our enemies and are determined to defend ourselves.”

Separately, Israeli government spokesman David Mencer told reporters, “This country is able to defend itself, and of course, both in ways which our enemies have seen, but also in ways they have not seen.”

He added: “We know how to deal with this Iranian menace … together with our allies, we are able to stand up to them.”