(IsraelNN.com) Opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu says we must learn the lessons from the Hamas takeover of Gaza, and ensure that it doesn't happen in Judea and Samaria.

Speaking with government-run Voice of Israel Radio, Netanyahu said, "We must understand the dangers: Every piece of land that we unilaterally evacuate, becomes a place where rockets are deployed against us. We must ensure that what is happening in Gaza doesn't reach Judea and Samaria as well. Unilateral withdrawals are not the answer. We said in the past that the retreat from Gush Katif would lead to increased terrorism and arms-smuggling, and we were right."

Netanyahu did not negate territorial concessions, but merely said they must not be unilateral.

He said that the same mistake occurred in Lebanon seven years ago: "Our hasty withdrawal from southern Lebanon [in May 2000, under then-Prime Minister and incoming Defense Minister Ehud Barak] turned it into Hizbulland, and our hasty exit from Gaza caused it to become Hamastan. If we leave Judea and Samaria, terrorism will increase; the IDF's presence there is preventing it from becoming Hamastan as well."

Speaking with reporters touring the Golan Heights this morning, Netanyahu warned that Gaza will rapidly develop into a springboard for Iranian activities if the IDF does not move to crush Hamas.  “We cannot have an Iranian base on the outskirts of Be’er Sheva and Tel Aviv,” the former prime minister said.