IDF Chief of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi announced on Sunday that Israel’s readiness for the next phase of fighting in the North is to be raised to the “next level.” The comments were made following Halevi’s visit to Majdal Shams on Saturday, following a fatal rocket sent by Hezbollah that killed 12 children and teenagers in the Druze town.
A small security cabinet, comprising of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, Halevi, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and others, met on Sunday evening to debate the proper response.“We are significantly raising our readiness for the next phase of fighting in the North while simultaneously fighting in Gaza. We know how to strike very far from the State of Israel. When required, we will act strongly,” Halevi stated.Halevi arrived at the soccer field in the Druze town, where Hezbollah strikes killed 12 children and wounded many more. He met with the head of the Druze community Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, the Northern Command Commander Maj.-Gen. Ori Gordin, and the 210th Division Commander Brig.-Gen. Yair Palai.
“We know exactly where the rocket was launched from today,” Halevi said. “We examined the remains of the rocket on the soccer field wall, and we can say that it is a Falaq rocket with a warhead of 53 kilograms.”IDF Spokesperson R-Adm. Daniel Hagari said early on Sunday that the rocket was a Falaq 1 rocket of Iranian production.
"This is a Hezbollah rocket," Halevi confirmed.
הרמטכ״ל במג'דל שמס: מעלים את המוכנות שלנו לשלב הבא ללחימה בצפון, נפעל בכל האמצעים להשיב את תושבי הצפון הביתה בביטחון.https://t.co/14sPg1jRay pic.twitter.com/DGhQfOo96F
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He added that any group that fired a rocket into a built-up area intended “to kill children.” He offered his support to the Druze community, which he called “brave partners” and “integrated citizens of Israel.”“We strongly support the residents of Majdal Shams, and we embrace the bereaved families; and wish all the wounded a speedy and full recovery.”The IDF separately confirmed the Hezbollah commander who guided the fire as “Ali Muhammad Yihye.”
Residents of the North
Overnight Saturday, the IDF struck at Hezbollah terrorist sites “deep in” Lebanon, as well as in the Hezbollah-controlled South, the military said on Sunday. These included weapons storage locations and terrorist infrastructure in the areas of Cheb Riha, Borj el Chmali, and Beqaa, Kfarkela, Rab el Thalathine, Khiam, and Tayr Harfa.Halevi directly addressed the residents of northern Israel, acknowledging that many have been displaced since October 7, and repeated that the IDF was committed to returning them all home safely.
The number of people displaced from the North is around 80,0000.
“Our duty is to return the residents of the North safely to their homes throughout the North, the Galilee, and the Golan Heights. We will act for better days.”Gallant held an operational assessment meeting at the Northern Command with Gordin and the staff officers on Sunday afternoon. Following the assessment, the defense minister said: “I arrived early in the morning to Majdal Shams, I saw with my own eyes the scene of the incident – a place where innocent children were killed while playing soccer. The blood of Israeli children is not and will never be abandoned.”“I came to the Northern Command to review the response plans,” he said. “This concerns Hezbollah – Iran’s proxy in the region. Hezbollah will not get away with this incident even with its ridiculous denials. They fired the shots – they will bear the consequences and they will pay a heavy price for their actions.”