Israel is ready to respond to any developments, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday after terrorists launched more than 40 rockets at Israel over the past four days.
“After the security cabinet meeting, we decided to prepare for every scenario,” he said. “That is the instruction that I and the defense minister gave... I don’t suggest that our enemies test us.”
He expressed hope that Monday night’s quiet from Gaza would continue.
Regarding the recent violence in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said the police were working to maintain public order while ensuring freedom of worship.
“I think that there is a drop in the number of violations, and that is positive, of course,” he said. “We want to go back to full law and order, and we will fully enforce the law.”
On Monday, the security cabinet authorized Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz to instruct the IDF to react strongly if Gazan terrorist groups launch more rockets.
The ministers also voted in favor of an operational plan to strike Hamas.
UN Special Envoy Tor Wennesland and Egypt said Hamas does not want an escalation, Maj.-Gen. Ghassan Alian, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), told the security cabinet on Monday.
Terrorists launched three rockets from Gaza into Israel in the early hours of Monday morning. Iron Dome missiles intercepted two of them, and one projectile exploded inside the Gaza Strip.
More than 40 rockets have been launched from the Gaza Strip into the South since violence began on Friday.
The IDF responded with fighter jets and tank fire on Friday, but it has refrained from doing so since then. On Monday, the army denied reports it had reinforced troops near the Gaza Strip.
Security officials tied the escalation in Gaza to rioting in Jerusalem by Arabs. Some Arabs attacked police over the closure of a plaza outside Damascus Gate, a popular hangout during Ramadan.
Some Arabs posted videos on TikTok of themselves attacking haredim (ultra-Orthodox) on the streets of Jerusalem and other cities. Some Jewish right-wing extremists attacked Arabs on Thursday.
Udi Shaham contributed to this report.