Binyamin Netanyahu
Binyamin NetanyahuFlash 90

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu informed cabinet members at his weekly meeting on Sunday that Israel is "seeing an increase in terrorist activities in recent weeks."

Referring to the recently exposed terrorist tunnel from Gaza leading into Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha, located in the northern Negev, Netanyahu commented, "I want to commend the IDF for uncovering this tunnel. This is our policy - an aggressive policy against acts of terror, as well as to thwart (attempts), using intelligence operations, pro-active and reactive measures, and of course, Operation Pillar of Defense."

During Sunday morning's Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister also said, "The combination of all of these activities has given us the quietest year in a decade, yet in the last weeks we have seen a definite increase, once again."

With regard to the recent murder of Col. (res.) Sariyah (Yaya) Opher by Palestinian Arab terrorists at his home in the Jordan Valley, Netanyahu said that the IDF is currently investigating the case and sent his condolences to Opher's family.

Israeli Defense Minister, Moshe ("Bogie") Ya'alon also commented on the increase of terrorist activities as an attempt by Hamas to prepare themselves for a confrontation with Israel.

"The discovery of the tunnel is another proof that the Hamas terrorist organization, despite the cessation of hostilities it was forced to accept and by which it abides, thanks to the IDF's deterrence, continues to prepare itself for a confrontation with the State of Israel. The discovery by the IDF is especially laudable since it prevented attempts to harm Israeli citizens who live near the border and IDF troops who are stationed in the area.

"The duty of everyone concerned is to maintain maximum vigilance, as our working assumption is that at any time terrorists are attempting to build tunnels in Gaza and use them to facilitate attacks as soon as they can," Ya'alon declared.

The Defense Minister added that over the weekend he ordered a halt to transferring building materials into the Gaza Strip.

"We will continue to act decisively, responsibly, and judiciously to maintain Israel's security and the safety of its citizens, and act firmly against anyone who tries to harm them," said Ya'alon.