Gantz visits Northern Command: 'Israel not interested in escalation'

Defense Minister Benny Gantz visited the Northern Command today to conduct a situation assessment, along with IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi and other senior officers.

"I was extremely impressed with the level of readiness of the IDF," Gantz said following his visit. "Israel will continue to pursue her security interests vis-a-vis Syria and Lebanon, including ensuring that Iran does not gain a foothold in those countries, and that advanced weaponry does not reach these countries from other nations."

Gantz added that, "The current situation in Syria and Lebanon isn't good - not economically, not in their efforts to combat the coronavirus epidemic, not regarding infrastructure. The governments of these countries must take responsibility for what transpires within their borders, and I reiterate that Israel has no interest in their internal affairs, save for what concerns our own security. We are not interested in escalations, but if we are tested, we will respond with a heavy hand - but I hope there will be no need for such actions."