Former IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, a member of the ‘top four’ of the Blue and White party, visited the south and used the opportunity to attack the outgoing administration’s handling of the escalation of violence along the Gaza border. Ashkenazi feels that the government played down the incendiary balloons and kites, and as a result, this led to the escalation of violence along the Gaza border. The former IDF command added, “the entire area of being held hostage by Hamas. This is the result of weak government policy.”

Members of Blue and White visited the Gaza border area, seeking first-hand the reality being faced by the residents of those communities, vis-à-vis the attacks from Gaza.

Party Chairman Benny Gantz said, “In 3.5 year since Operation Protective Edge there was total quiet. No rockets. No balloons. No kites. However, other than advancing the problem, nothing was done. We will change the sluggish government policy and apply a firm policy.”

Regarding the soldiers and civilians held by the Gaza terror organization, he declared: “We will demand the return of the captives and the missing, and we will advance aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip without compromising on security. If attacked, we will implement a stern policy and if necessary, we will return to targeted assassinations. Hamas understands what we said. I see a Hamas that has to be beaten and not the High Court. But it is no wonder that in a government that adopts Kahanists and an education minister allows himself to incite against the most important state institutions. In my government it will not happen.”

His deputy, Yair Lapid, said, “It cannot be that the house of Miri Tamano (who was hit by a rocket attack in Beersheva last October) is destroyed and Yahya Sinwar is still standing. Deterrence is obtained by force and only by force. The cabinet in which the three of us sat down has achieved deterrence for three and a half years – we will return this deterrence.”

Moshe Ya’alon added “You do not hear words of praise from us – we did and we are the ones we will do. When balloons and kites began to spread here, this contempt led us to an escalation.”

Gabi Ashkenazi ended the visit saying to the media, “The reality here is unbearable. It is inconceivable that an entire region will be a hostage of Hamas. It is a failure of weak policy. We will replace it with less talk and more deeds and with actions and strength.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)