‘We are in a battle,’ declares Netanyahu after meeting with IDF Gaza Division

After meetings between Netanyahu and senior intelligence and defense officials on Tuesday, the prime minister declared that the IDF is prepared for “any scenario” with a “solid wall” of defense.

By: TPS and World Israel News Staff

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and senior intelligence officials held security consultations with the IDF Gaza Division Tuesday amidst ongoing cross-border attacks by Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

“Today is the fourth anniversary of Hadar Goldin’s death on the battlefield,” Netanyahu said. “We are committed to bringing him, together with Oron Shaul and our two civilians, back to Israel.”

The premier said he had visited Sderot Monday and seen the “solid wall” of determination of civilians there. “Today, I’m visiting the IDF, together with the defense minister, the chief-of-staff, the head the IDF Southern Command and the head of the Shin Bet. I’ve seen our military’s solid wall [of defense] today,” he said.

“We are in a battle, accusations are flying and I can tell you the IDF is prepared for any scenario. I was very impressed by what I saw here… (all Israelis) are with you ahead of whatever develops,” Netanyahu added.

When asked whether terror attacks from Gaza could be eliminated without a large-scale military incursion, Netanyahu said “I believe we are doing the right things. It would be a good idea to begin looking at the things we do, rather than focusing only on the things we say.”

On Tuesday, Defense Minister Liberman also had a blunt message for the Hamas terror group while visiting troops drilling in southern Israel in an exercise that simulated urban warfare in Gaza.

“Should we have to go to war, we will be able to defeat any enemy. The Israel Defense Forces knows what to do, how to do it and when to do it,” said Liberman, according Times of Israel.

“We will set the rules of the game and no one else,” he concluded.