Lt Gen. Ashkenazi discussed the current intensification of the situation on the Gaza border with the increasing number of rockets and mortar shells fired into Israel. “We face the threat of rockets and missiles fired from urban areas and nature reserves. We will not let Hamas fire on Israeli civilians and we have the capabilities to stop them.” The Chief of the General Staff added that Operation Cast Lead created a new reality in the Gaza Strip, whereby the IDF will not refrain from taking any action necessary to protect Israeli civilians.
“On the eve of Yom Kippur we in the IDF stand before many challenges. The reality is complex: Iran is growing stronger, as are Lebanon and Hamas. We also have much work to do in the Judea and Samaria region. The IDF, as the guarding shield of Israel, will stand between the enemy and the State of Israel. As commanders of the army, we are working hard to be prepared for war,” added the Chief of Staff.
“We must continue fighting for our right to live here. Therefore it is important to enlist in the IDF and to have the most meaningful service possible,” Lt Gen. Ashkenazi said, stressing that the IDF would continue the fight to encourage enlistment “despite the increase in draft numbers to combat units. It’s very important to the army, as the army of the nation, to draft everyone despite the schism in ideas and beliefs between us. The IDF should be the bridge which connects everyone.”
