In assessing the current situation with security officials, the Minister ordered that the IDF and the home front prepare for the escalation of the clashes in the south and in Jerusalem. "We will do what is necessary to protect our citizens."
Following the tensions that have been recorded in recent days in the Gaza Envelope area and in Jerusalem, Defense Minister Bnei Gantz convened a discussion today (Sunday) with the participation of senior members of the defense establishment and ordered to continue preparing for the possibility of escalation.
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The assessment of the situation that Gantz has today in the Kirya in Tel Aviv was attended by, among others, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, Shin Bet chief Nadav Argaman, Chief of Staff Gen. Aharon Haliva, Chief of Staff Maj. .
Defense Minister Gantz stressed that care must be taken to maintain contact with the councils in the Gaza Envelope and to prepare for the home front.
He added that "the message to the Palestinians is that Israel respects the freedom of worship for everyone, and will do what is necessary to protect its citizens from any aggression."
Earlier in the day, Chief of Staff Kochavi assessed the situation in the Gaza Division, following the rocket launches from the Gaza Strip towards the surrounding settlements in recent days.
The chief of staff clarified in a conversation with the heads of the local authorities that "we are fully prepared for the possibility of escalation or expansion of the campaign and are engaged in the necessary preparations for this."