Outgoing Gaza Division Commander Brigadier-General Moshe Tamir stated at Wednesday�s change-of-command ceremony �I am not one of tidings as a rule but regarding Gaza, the worst lies ahead. I have been involved in soldiering my entire adult life but the enemy that we are up against is the most merciless and fanatic that I have seen.�

A good part of Tamir�s career entailed service along the northern border, against Hizbullah, which he labeled �a significantly more dangerous and sophisticated enemy as compared to the Palestinians�.

Tamir made his comments in the presence of his replacement, Brigadier-General Eyal Eisenberg. He stated during his 27 months in the Gaza district, 1,000 terrorists were eliminated and hundreds of attempted terror attacks were prevented. He added �this is a very heavy burden on the young shoulders� of soldiers.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)