Netanyahu receives briefing at scene of Tel Aviv shooting, ensures 'we will respond'

Netanyahu: "We are at the peak of a difficult period...We will act with resoluteness."

By CORAL BRAUN
Updated: JUNE 9, 2016 09:39
Netanyahu condemns Tel Aviv shooting attack
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman arrived early Thursday at the scene of Wednesday night's shooting attack at Tel Aviv's Sarona market, during which four civilians were killed and several others wounded.
Netanyahu and Liberman were briefed on details of the incident by the district commander of the police force.
Netanyahu was also introduced to a security guard, responsible for shooting and neutralizing one of the terrorists, who recounted the night's turn-of-events.
"A very tragic event took place here - a cold-blooded murder by ruthless terrorists," Netanyahu said at the scene.
"First of all, I would like to send my condolences to the families whose worlds have been turned upside down," he said. "And wishes for a fast recovery to those that have been injured."
He praised the bravery and quick-action of a civilian and security guard on site who, through their individual actions, saved quite a few lives. He also praised the police officer who captured and neutralized one of the terrorists.
Netanyahu landed in Israel hours earlier from his brief trip to Moscow, to news of the terror attack. He headed straight to the Defense Ministry's Kirya compound - located across the street from Sarona - for security consultations along with Defense Minister Avigdor Liberian and Shin Bet head Nadav Argaman.
"We gathered to discuss a number of steps, both defensive and offensive, that we will take in order to act against this very severe phenomenon of shooting attacks," Netanyahu said following the consultations. "It definitely poses a challenge to us, but we will respond."
In light of recent events, he said civilians should show increased awareness, and ensured that security, IDF, and police forces would work ceaselessly to both capture collaborators involved in Wednesday's shooting attack, and to prevent future attacks from coming to fruition.
"We are at the peak of a difficult period," Netanyahu said.  "We will act with resoluteness and with intelligence."