Ashkenazi and MK Hanegbi
Army chief: Preparing all options against Iran
'Existence of nuclear weapons in Iran's hands could destabilize entire Middle East,' Ashkenazi tells Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Adds: Upcoming Lebanon elections battle for country's future
IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi told the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday that "Iran continues with its plans. The existence of nuclear weapons in Iran's hands could destabilize the entire Middle East."
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Ashkenazi further said that "The dialogue between the US and Iran is unlikely to succeed, but this is the preferred course for us too. However, it is my job as army chief to prepare all the options, and that is what we're doing."
Addressing the upcoming elections in Lebanon, in which Hizbullah is expected to gain more seats in the government, the IDF chief "there is a battle for the future of Lebanon, and also a fear that the country will fall into the hands of the radical axis.
As for next week's nationwide drill, during which forces will simulate a "battle in Gaza", spreading into a "war" in northern Israel, Ashkenazi said it was "routine," adding "it shouldn't cause ant tension in the region."
The IDF chief continued to say that Egypt has "increased its effectiveness" in its efforts to curb the smuggling of arms to Hamas-ruled Gaza has increased, but added "there is still much to do."
According to him, Egypt's activity is delaying the smuggling, but not preventing it entirely.
