Gantz: "We are not reluctant to fight in Gaza - but we will not hesitate to go to it if necessary"

In the shadow of the security tensions in Otef, the Defense Minister conducted a situation assessment in the Southern Command, asked to strengthen the residents of the area and promised that the tensions will end soon.

"To our enemies, Hamas and the Islamic Jihad - your time is limited, the threat will be removed one way or another," he said, and turned to the countries of the world: "We will work hard to return to normalcy"

Amir Bohbot, Barak Ravid and Vinir Yagana

05/08/2022

Friday, August 5, 2022, 2:30 p.m

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Gantz in the Gaza Strip: "We are not reluctant to fight in Gaza - but we will not hesitate to go to it if necessary" (Photo: Avi Rokah)

Defense Minister Benny Gantz this morning (Friday) conducted a situation assessment at the Southern Command, following the security tensions in the region.

According to him, the purpose of the discussion was "to prepare for actions that will lead to the removal of the threat in the Gaza Strip in accordance with the operational considerations of the State of Israel - we are not reluctant to fight, but we will not hesitate to go into it if necessary. We use force according to our considerations."

"I would like to strengthen all the residents of the Otaf. The State of Israel has a great responsibility to protect and protect them. The citizens of Israel and the residents of the Gaza Otaf, and their leadership in particular, have shown throughout the years a civil resilience that deserves all appreciation," the Defense Minister continued.

"Our mission is to ensure that the tensions end and normalcy returns. I say to the residents of the Otaf - we will do everything necessary to protect you responsibly and sensitively from the considerations of determining the power that will lead to the required result."

"We will return the routine to the envelope."

Gantz (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Gantz addressed the heads of the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip and threatened them.

"To our enemies, Hamas and the Islamic Jihad - your time is limited, the threat will be removed one way or another," Gantz said.

"The security forces are ready for any action that may be required in the north, center and south and we will continue the operational activity in all sectors."

The Defense Minister added: "I would like to say to all the countries of the world and those involved in Gaza - the State of Israel will act with internal and external strength to return the situation to full normalcy."

Prime Minister Yair Lapid, who was also present at the security situation assessment, said at the end of the discussion that during the weekend, additional security situation assessments will be held as needed.

"The residents of the Otaf, their safety and quality of life are our top priority," he said.

"We are working to return them to their daily routine as quickly as possible. This is our responsibility."

More in Walla!

The residents of Otaf are preparing for a tense weekend: "It's a disgrace that they paralyze the area, we are broadcasting weakness"

To the full article

A checkpoint in the Gaza Strip.

This week (photo: Flash 90, no)

Meanwhile, this morning the vigilance continued in the communities surrounding Gaza, this is the fourth day in a row, and the residents of the area are preparing for a tense weekend, in which the Islamic Jihad threatens to harm them and the soldiers who serve on the Gaza border.

The residents, who are actually under curfew, are starting to lose patience.

"It is a disgrace that we have reached a situation where a terrorist is arrested and the Gaza Strip is paralyzed," said Lavala Albert Gabai, a resident of Sderot.

"It conveys weakness, no matter what the final result. We are silenced. Without launching a single rocket, they disrupted the lives of the residents of the Otaf. It is time to go on the attack - I expect the government ministers, regardless of whether they are right or left, to come to the Otaf and express their sympathy and give answers to the residents".

Last night, after a meeting with Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi, the heads of the Otef authorities also criticized the government's policy. "Citizens of the State of Israel and especially Otef residents should not be held hostage by any terrorist organization," said Mayor Sderot Alon Davidi. The government, the Minister of Defense and the Chief of Staff to attack the terrorist organizations and promises that you will receive all the backing from us. It cannot be that for three days there will be tensions in the Gaza Strip, closed roads, canceled trains and businesses losing their livelihoods."

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• Gaza Strip

• The Islamic Jihad