After instructing the IDF to prepare for the possibility of widespread attacks against Islamic Jihad targets, Defense Minister Benny Gantz today (Friday) sends a firm message to the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip - "Heads of Hamas and Islamic Jihad - your time is up."
Gantz held a situation assessment at the Southern Command headquarters.
After that there was a meeting with heads of authorities in the Gaza Strip.
"We are in a tense routine in the south," Gantz emphasized.
"I arrived here today together with the Chief of Staff, the head of the Shin Bet and the commanding general, in order to assess the situation and prepare for actions that will lead to the removal of the threat from the area surrounding Gaza in accordance with the operational considerations of the State of Israel."
The Defense Minister added: "To our enemies in general and to the leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, I say explicitly - your time is limited. The threat will be removed one way or another. The situation in which irresponsible terrorists, some of whom are not in the region at all, took the residents of Gaza hostage will return and harm them.
"The threat will be removed one way or another."
Gantz with Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi, photo: Ariel Harmoni, Ministry of Defense
On the way to another military operation?
Defense Minister Gantz with the heads of authorities, photo: Ariel Harmoni, Ministry of Defense
"Whoever robs the livelihood of 14,000 workers, causes agricultural goods to rot in the crossings, and causes shortages of electricity and food - first of all harms the residents of Gaza and he will bear the responsibility. The IDF, the Shin Bet and the security forces are all preparing for any action that may be required, on any front from the south, the center and the north. We will continue the operational activity in all sectors, as much as is requested."
Warming up in the sector.
Gaza Strip border, photo: Oren Cohen
Among other things, Gantz was asked what kind of security threat it was.
"As mentioned, there are threats and we see terrorist preparations to harm the citizens of the State of Israel and the defensive actions we took were all aimed at preventing harm to civilians."
Regarding the barrier that was built for billions of shekels, Gantz answered:
"The barrier does its job well. It is part of our defense system. We do not claim that there are no threats from the Gaza Strip, there are anti-tank threats, sniping, rocket threats, threats of raiding squads that will try to breach the barriers that we built, but as the residents of the south know and as the terrorists know, the IDF is strong and is determined to protect them in any of the places."
Fear of further escalation.
Launches from the Gaza Strip (archive) // Photo: AFP,
The Minister of Defense addressed the question of whether it was a mistake not to respond immediately to the threat. "
We use force according to our considerations and this is not the place to detail the nature of the considerations themselves. I will tell you what will happen in another month, another year, and two more years, and that is what is important to remember in the long view. The south has developed, is developing and will continue to develop in the face of every difficulty, threat and security activity.
"I repeat - I do not underestimate the feelings of people in this unpleasant situation. The ability to grow up and raise children under military threat is not self-evident, and deserves all appreciation. In recent years, all the settlements surrounding Ashkelon, Sderot, the kibbutzim, the Moshavim have seen tremendous development. This is the real victory And we intend to continue to allow that."
Participated in the preparation of the article: Lilac Shuval
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