Prime Minister/Defense Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Thursday visited troops stationed along the Gaza border. With the increase in warfare, as Hamas renewed rocket attacks this week, there has been a significant troop reinforcement along the border.

The air force was operational on Thursday afternoon too, attacking terrorists in Gaza detected as they were releasing incendiary balloons towards Israel.

Netanyahu was briefed by senior commanders, who are also preparing for violence along the Gaza border on Friday and Saturday, as they are marking “Land Day”.

Afterwards PM Netanyahu participated in the ceremony to open the section of Highway 6 from Tel Kashish to the Somech interchange.

Following is an excerpt of his remarks at the ceremony:

“I come now from the border with the Gaza Strip. I met with divisional and brigade commanders who are on the first line. We are tightening the security ring around the Gaza Strip.

“I recently ordered that the units be reinforced, that tools be added, in preparation for an extensive campaign. All citizens of Israel know that if an extensive campaign is necessary – we will go into it strong and secure, after all other possibilities have been exhausted.

“We are operating on several fronts simultaneously. Not far from here are the Golan Heights, our sovereignty over which was recognized by President Trump three days ago. This is a tremendous diplomatic achievement for the State of Israel.

“Beyond the Golan Heights is Syria, and also Iran. Iran is constantly trying to bring precision long-range missiles, which are very advanced and very lethal, into Syria. We are not prepared to accept this and our activity against Iran’s attempt to entrench militarily in Syria, to bring in advance weaponry, is continuing all the time.”

Land Day, March 30, is an annual day of commemoration for six Israeli Arabs killed by police in Israel in 1976 during violence against announced expropriation of land. The Israeli Arab sector declared a general strike in Galil and Negev communities, leading to confrontations with security forces. Land Day was declared as an annual event in 1988.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem/ photo credit: Kobi Gideon, GPO)