Peretz tours north
צילום: אביהו שפירא
Peretz: IDF won't be caught off guard again
During tour in Golan Heights, defense minister presents vision: Every war creates new terms for negotiations. Peretz stresses that while Israel plans no offensive initiatives against Syria, it will be prepared for any scenario
Defense Minister Amir Peretz vowed on Tuesday that "the Israel Defense Forces will never again find itself caught off guard as in some of the cases during the recent war in Lebanon."
In a tour held at a Golan Heights military outpost, Peretz added: "Every war creates new terms for negotiations after it is concluded, and we need to look at the diplomatic horizon as the hope of all sides in the Middle East. Our message to our enemies is that we extend our hand in peace, but that we will continue to be prepared for any scenario."
According to the defense minister, "any action that will take place, either in the south Lebanon sector or in any other sector, will not be met with disregard, as it did in the past, we will be properly prepared."
Kaplinsky, Peretz in military outpost (Photo: Avihu Shapira)
Peretz toured the area accompanied by Major-General Moshe Kaplinksy and other officers, observed the border and reported of the IDF's activity in the region.
"This is a routine visit," Peretz said, adding that "it is important to reiterate that Israel plans no offensive initiatives against Syria. The calm in the Golan Heights should be kept, but simultaneously, the army will continue to be alert in a bid to protect the borders and residents of Israel."
The minister also met with a group of soldiers serving in the area, some of whom also took part in the fighting in Lebanon. Several soldiers addressed questions to Peretz, asking why the fighting has been stopped despite the fact that the kidnapped troops were not released. Peretz explained that while the soldiers' kidnapping played a decisive role in the decision to go to war, the task of their release will be completed through diplomatic means.
Peretz refused to comment on Arab media reports regarding a deal on the freeing of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. "I prefer to say little and refrain from making public statements. The international community has an obligation to implement Resolution 1701, and as long as the captives are not returned, this obligation has not been fulfilled," he stated.
The defense minister added that "we will not let go even for a moment. Certainly, our goal was to dismantle Hizbullah, but no power in world can completely dismantle a terror organization, only make its actions illegitimate."
"Today, the Lebanese people see that Hizbullah's presence brings harm to infrastructure and hurts the residents' lives. We are certain that Hizbullah never believed it would one day have to evacuate its posts and be replaced by the Lebanese army. For the first time in 30 years, the Lebanese army has deployed along the border," he concluded.
