Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu warned Tuesday that Israeli security officials are seeing indications that the country’s enemies may attempt to launch attacks as Israel approaches its elections, issuing a stark warning during a visit to the Tel Nof Air Force Base.
“We have signs that ahead of the elections, our enemies will try to attack us,” Netanyahu said. “So from here, from the Air Force base, from the long arm of the State of Israel, I am sending you a message: Don’t mess with us, not now and not ever. Our long arm will reach you anywhere and at any time.”
During the visit, Netanyahu met with Israeli Air Force flight crews and ground personnel and reviewed recent IDF operations in Gaza and Lebanon.
“We are operating constantly on all fronts,” Netanyahu said.
The prime minister pointed to a series of recent targeted killings carried out by Israeli forces, including the elimination of the terrorist involved in the abduction of Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or.
“The day before yesterday, we eliminated the despicable terrorist who kidnapped Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or. We brought them back, and we eliminated him,” Netanyahu said.
“Last night, we eliminated the Hamas brigade commander in the northern Gaza Strip, who joined his predecessors. Altogether, in recent weeks, we have eliminated more than 100 terrorists, and that is only in Gaza.”
Netanyahu added that Israeli forces have also continued operating in Lebanon, pointing to recent developments at the Ali Taher Ridge.
“Of course, we are also operating in Lebanon — you remember what we did at the Ali Taher Ridge,” he said.
The prime minister also addressed mounting political and diplomatic pressure surrounding the continuation of Israel’s military operations, saying he would not agree to relinquish achievements secured by Israeli forces.
“There are enormous achievements, but there are also enormous pressures,” Netanyahu said. “The pressures are to withdraw, to give up the great achievements that were attained through the heroism of our soldiers. I am not allowing that to happen, and I will not allow that to happen.”
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
