VIDEO - “We have no intention of escalating the situation in the region, but we will have to retaliate wherever IDF forces are attacked,” Defense Minister Amir Peretz said following the exchanges of fire with Lebanese army soldiers late Wednesday night. Peretz was briefed on the incident Thursday morning by outgoing Chief of Staff Dan Halutz and other senior officers. Newly-appointed IDF Chief Gabi Ashkenazi was also summoned to Peretz’s office. “The Northern Command operated in accordance with the guidelines and UN Resolution 1701,” the defense minister said, adding that “we have no intention of returning to the ‘turn a blind eye’ policy.” Earlier the head of the army's Northern Command headquarters told Ynet, “The IDF will operate in Israeli territory along the northern border whenever necessary.” “It is the Lebanese army that must draw the conclusions from the incident,” Brigadier General Alon Friedman said. “Those who will attempt to act against us in the region will not be immune.” 'I hope the other side understands' Friedman said that during the incident the Lebanese soldiers were preparing to fire an antitank missile toward the IDF forces, whose quick response thwarted the attack. “Our response made the rules of the game clear, and I hope the other side understands them as well,” the senior officer said. “We will not allow a situation in which our soldiers are attacked. I want to remind everyone that we are capable of more than just a targeted response.” Friedman told Ynet that UNIFIL troops served as mediators during the border incident, adding that they attempted to dissuade the IDF forces from operating.