Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu informed cabinet members at his weekly meeting on Sunday that Israel is “seeing an increase in terrorist activities in recent weeks.”
Referring to the recently exposed terrorist tunnel from Gaza leading into Ein Hashlosha, Netanyahu commented, “I want to commend the IDF for uncovering this tunnel. This is our policy – an aggressive policy against acts of terror, as well as to thwart (attempts), using intelligence operations, pro-active and reactive measures, and of course, Operation Pillar of Defense.”
In Sunday morning’s Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister also said, “The combination of all of these activities have given us the quietest year in a decade, yet in the last weeks we have seen a definite increase, once again.”
In regards to the recent murder of Sariyah (Yaya) Opher by Palestinian Arab terrorists in the Jordan Valley, Netanyahu said that the administration is currently investigating the case and sent his condolences to Opher’s family.
Israeli Defense Minister, Moshe (“Boogie”) Ya’alon also commented on the increase of terrorist activities as continuation of Hamas to prepare themselves for a confrontation with Israel.
“The discovery of the tunnel is another proof that the Hamas terrorist organization, despite the cessation of hostilities it was forced to accept and which it abides by thanks to the IDF’s deterrence, continues to prepare themselves for a confrontation with the State of Israel. The discovery by the IDF is exceptionally laudable since it prevented attempts to harm Israeli citizens who live near the boarder and IDF troops who are stationed in the area.
“The duty of everyone concerned is to maintain maximum vigilance as our working assumption is that at any time terrorists are attempting to build tunnels in Gaza and use it to facilitate attacks as soon as they can,” Ya’alon declared.
The Defense Minister added that over the weekend he ordered a cease on transferring building materials into the Gaza Strip.
“We will continue to act decisively, responsibly, and judiciously to maintain Israel’s security and safety for its citizens, and act firmly against anyone who tries to harm them,” said Ya’alon.
