Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday evening chose to keep silent on the unusual incident with Syria reported earlier in the day.
Olmert delivered a speech at a Kadima ceremony ahead of the Jewish New Year, and many of the attendees had expected him to address the Syrian report that an Israeli aircraft violated its airspace on Wednesday night. Instead, the prime minister referred to other security issues.
Addressing the three kidnapped IDF soldiers ,Olmert said, "I wish I could tell you what we are doing, how many efforts we are exerting, about how difficult it is, about the heart-rending dilemmas we have to deal with in order to make the right decision which will bring them to their families and to all of us safe and sound. We shall not stop."
Addressing Thursday's incidents in Gaza, in which 10 Palestinians were killed, he said that "many in Gaza paid with their lives today for the rocket fire. From the shots fired by our soldiers, from the attack of our fighters, and from the airstrikes.
"We did it, we are doing it and we will continue to do it sensibly, firmly and courageously and in a way which will hurt them and safeguard our children; in a way that will hit those who carry out terror relentlessly and with no hesitations."
Addressing the situation in Sderot, Olmert added that Israel was protecting the Gaza vicinity area "maybe more than any area has ever been protected, certainly any area in Israel – but it doesn't free anyone from the thunder of falling Qassams."
"There are no absolute answers, but that does not in any way release us from the responsibility we have to fight daily against the terrorists."
Addressing the diplomatic process, the prime minister said, "We will not let go of the real, serious and responsible effort to pave the way for diplomatic negotiations which would allow Israel to move toward peace. This is Kadima's strength. We are not close yet. All those who think someone is hiding an agreement under the table waiting for one final touch should calm down. We are not there yet."
Olmert did not forget to address his role as prime minister, saying that "it's true, it's not so easy being a prime minister in Israel."