Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu visited IDF Central Command on Sunday, where he was briefed by Defense Minister Ehud Barak, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz and GOC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Nitzan Alon on recent events in the Central Command area.
During the visit Netanyahu said, “We are here, first of all, to receive an update on recent events in this area. Our mission is to maintain the security of the citizens of the State of Israel both in the settlements and, of course, in the country as a whole. We are aware that there is an upsurge in activity and I would like to receive an exact briefing on this issue. Of course, we are committed to acting in this area, as well as in other areas, in order to ensure the security of the State of Israel, and this is what we will do.”
Defense Minister Barak said, “Very extensive work is being done here. We have come to see from close up how things are progressing in the operational sphere, in the struggle against terrorism, in the civilian areas under the Civil Administration and regarding relations with the Palestinians on the one hand, and with the settlements on the other. We have also come in order to hear where you stand, where you see the challenges, and in order to add our input.”
Earlier on Sunday, the Cabinet in its weekly meeting dealt with issues of security on the home front, and looked ahead to the future in Syria.
During the meeting Netanyahu discussed what appears to be the growing threat of a “third intifada.” Palestinian Authority Arabs have rioted and attempted to carry out terror attacks in Hevron and throughout Judea and Samaria in recent days.
On Saturday, PA Arabs clashed with Israeli troops in a rock attack near the Judean village of Beit Ummar. An IDF officer suffered a head injury when he was struck by one of the stones hurled by the rioting Arabs.
Early Friday morning, two PA Arabs broke into an IDF base north of Jerusalem and ambushed a soldier, stealing his rifle and fleeing.
Meanwhile on Sunday, several hours after Netanyahu told the Cabinet that the south is quiet following last month’s Operation Pillar of Defense in Gaza, terrorists fired a rocket at southern Israel.
The rocket apparently fell short of Israeli territory and exploded within Gaza.
