Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday toured the Lebanese border together with the Head of the IDF’s (Israel Defense Forces) Northern Command, and other senior officers. The Prime Minister held an assessment with IDF commanders regarding the operational picture as well as defensive and offensive plans for the continuity of activity in the sector.

He also met with reserve commanders the Northern NAHAL Brigade (#228) and spoke with them about their combat to date.

“I am here on the northern border. From here one can see and hear the changed reality – aircraft overhead and our heroic fighters on the ground, beyond the border line, eliminating the entire underground terrorist network that Hezbollah had prepared to raid the Galilee and carry out an even bigger massacre than occurred in Gaza. This has not happened,” said Netanyahu.

“We are striking all areas in Lebanon,” he added. “I would like to make it clear: With or without an agreement, the key to restoring the calm and security in the north, the key to returning our residents in the north safely to their homes, is – first of all – to push Hezbollah beyond the Litani (river). Second is to strike at any attempt to rearm itself. Third is to respond vigorously to any action against us. Simply put, enforcement, enforcement, enforcement – and cutting off Hezbollah’s pipeline from Iran through Syria. To all of this we are committed.”

“Our heroic reservists have an immense part in the achievements we have made. They are putting their lives on hold, leaving their wives and children, and sometimes losing jobs. They are losing friends. But I sat with them just now and I was greatly impressed. One must see their readiness and their fighting spirit. I met with brigade, battalion and company commanders. One of the brigade commanders told me: ‘We have the privilege to defend our country. We are making history.’”

Image - Maayan Toaf/GPO