Benjamin Netanyahu has urged Western allies to stand behind Israel or risk strengthening Iran’s “axis of evil”, speaking on the eve of the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terror attacks.

The Israeli prime minister warned of a world in peril as his nation prepared to remember those who fell one year ago in the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.

His words came as Israeli jets and artillery continued to pound Hezbollah and Hamas positions in Lebanon and Gaza, despite international calls for restraint.

Facing calls for a ceasefire and threats of weapons embargoes, Mr Netanyahu said: “Israel expects its friends to stand behind it and not impose restrictions that will only strengthen the Iranian axis of evil.”

His comments came in a crisis call to Emmanuel Macron, who announced on Saturday that France was withholding arms from Israel, citing the ongoing escalation in Lebanon.