(Mark Neyman/GPO)
President Reuven Rivlin toured Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, marking two years since Operation Protective Edge.
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, who was accompanied by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, GOC Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, and Gaza Division Commander Brig.-Gen. Yehuda Fox, received an update on the IDF’s operations in the area.
He visited a terror tunnel discovered by the IDF, and discussed the IDF’s initiatives to contend with the threat.
“Two years after Operation Protective Edge, the south has returned to its daily routine. The IDF guards the front in the very best way, and the front in return shows its appreciation,” Rivlin stated while addressing a group of soldiers.
Relating to this week’s rocket attack from Gaza and the IDF’s retaliation, Rivlin said Israel “will not tolerate any disturbance of the quiet, and in the face of any such disturbance we will respond swiftly and firmly.”
“On both sides of the border there are civilians who want to live in quiet and we will be sure that the citizens of Israel will continue to live in harmony. We do not seek war. Yet, after having sat with our wonderful commanders I know that if war is forced upon us, we have an army as ready and professional as could be asked. The plan that was presented to me reflects operational strength,” he said.
He said that “the State of Israel has a moral responsibility to return Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul,” two IDF soldiers killed during the operation and whose remains are held by Hamas.
“I am impressed by the readiness of the IDF to face any challenge in order to safeguard Israel’s security. I can say to the citizens of Israel, the IDF is prepared and ready to face any threat above or below the ground in order to prevent any trouble not just around Gaza, but across the country,” Rivlin later told reports.
Rivlin also met with the local authority and regional heads from the Negev and the southern region.
By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News
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