Defense Minister Yoav Galant spoke a short time ago at the state memorial ceremony in memory of fallen soldiers of the South Lebanese Army, held for the first time at the memorial near Metula.
Arab networks
Referring to the latest developments on the Lebanese border, the defense minister said: "We all look at what is happening in Lebanon, your homeland, and our hearts are sour. The stranglehold of Hezbollah and Iran, which fuel terrorism in our region, does not let go and drags the country and its citizens into an ongoing reality of poverty and crisis.
"Against any violation of our sovereignty and challenge to our presence in our country, we will respond at the time and place of our choosing, in open and secret ways, which will exact a sharp and clear price from those responsible.
"We all pray for other days, for the days when on the other side of the border there is an outstretched hand for peace and a life of good neighborliness.
Hezbollah military exercise on the Israeli-Lebanese border (archive), photo: AP
"Until we have such days, the IDF maintains high readiness and competence, and will continue to act against Iranian and Hezbollah's attempts to strengthen itself in the northern arena. As I said, our faces are extended in peace, but if we need it against our enemies, our sword is in our hands."
The commander of the Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Uri Gordin, said at a ceremony commemorating the fallen soldiers of the SLA: This morning we received a reminder in the form of terrorist operatives firing from Lebanon at Israel - and we returned fire at the sources of fire. The IDF, Northern Command, will not allow attempts to harm the security or sense of security of the residents of the north. Anyone who tries to violate sovereignty on the northern border - we will respond to him, in one dose, we will continue to be vigilant and fulfill our most important mission of all - protecting the communities and residents of the north."
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