JERUSALEM - Hamas is using the current lull in violence to boost its strength, rearm and establish a popular army that could stand up to the Palestinian Authority, IDF Chief of Staff Moshe (Bugi) Yaalon said Monday. Speaking at a special farewell session before the Knesset Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee, the outgoing army chief said the terror group’s increased strength is a cause for concern. “Implementation of the disengagement while Palestinian groups are boosting their strength is a very serious problem,” he said. Yaalon said he never said whether he supported or opposed the upcoming Gaza Strip and northern West Bank pullout, but rather, analyzed the risks and opportunities inherent in the plan. “The question of what will ultimately happen is a question that has not yet been decided,” he said. He said he did everything in order to minimize risks posed by the disengagement. Praises endurance displayed by Israelis On another front, Yaalon addressed operation Defensive Shield, launched by the IDF in 2002 after a string of suicide bombings devastated Israel, saying it was one of the most important military moves in the past 20 years. During the operation, the IDF recaptured all West Bank cities, marking the beginning of a sharp decline in terror attacks on Israel. In that context, Yaalon also praised the endurance displayed by Israelis in the face of repeated terror attacks. Regarding disagreements between the military and the Knesset, Yaalon stressed the significance of parliamentary supervision over the army. “The responsibility imposed on senior (army) officials is heavy,” he said, and said contact with the Knesset is important and productive. The special session was marred by one embarrassing moment, however. Knesset Member Omri Sharon, the prime minister’s son was the only committee member who chose to refrain from congratulating Yaalon. The relationship between the two figures has been tense after Yaalon, speaking in closed-door sessions, pointed the finger at Sharon as the responsible party for the failure to extend the army chief’s term, as is customary.