IDF prepared for Palestinian drones
OC Southern Command tells Negev residents IDF ready to defend south of country after Gaza pullout; residents say no real answers for ‘day after’
The head of the IDF Southern Command, Gen. Dan Harel, told residents of the Eshkol Regional Council Friday that the army is ready to respond to any Palestinian provocation following the withdrawal from Gaza in July.
Harel referred specifically to the threat Palestinians could send a drone into Israeli air space to collect intelligence information, as Hizbullah did earlier this week in the north.
“The IDF is ready to answer any threat, both during the disengagement and afterwards,” he said.
Ready to defend Negev
Harel also mapped out the army’s plans to defend the region, saying the army will deploy in two main areas along the Gaza border, allowing soldiers to defend the western Negev desert.
Harel also said methods of defending the region would include technologies that will allow the army to thwart rocket fire from Gaza.
In light of the disengagement program, Gen. Harel said the IDF is deployed and ready in the Gaza Strip to ensure a quick and orderly withdrawal of settlers. He said the army is prepared for three primary threats during the disengagement: settler opposition, opposition by others who support the protesters, and terrorism.
Empty words
Some 400 Eshkol region residents attended the meeting with Harel. Some complained the army does not keep them informed about the Gaza withdrawal and the implications for them the day after.
One, Moshe Tal, of Moshav Dekel, said many promises have been made, but no answers have been provided.
Another, Dalia Harlev of Moshav Ein Habasor, agreed: “We have not received any answers about how to deal with the situation we are going to find ourselves just a few months from now.”
“I expected more, something like a guide to disengagement, what happens the day after. Instead, all we’ve gotten are empty words.”
