That is a game of semantics. That is NOT what's on the table with the remark. It is a statement meant to convey extermination of
a) the country, Israel
b) the Israeli people
c) both

The means is here nor there. The threat is clear. In my mind, the likely Israeli response is also clear. At some point, wise people do NOT wait for an attacker to follow through on a threat.

Personally, if someone is foolish enough to say, "I am going to punch you in the mouth," I nail him right away. I have never bothered waiting for him to actually throw the punch. Makes me a dirty sonuvabitch I guess. That's life.

Reminds me o the line in "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly": If you're gonna shoot, shoot; don't talk.