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Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon visiting the IDF Northern Command headquarters with Northern Command chief Maj.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi to his right. (photo credit:ARIEL HERMONI / DEFENSE MINISTRY)

Ya'alon: Israel knows how to exact a price from anyone who harms it

Amid high tensions with Hezbollah and its backer, Iran, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon visited the headquarters of the IDF's Northern Command on Friday.
Ya'alon vowed that Israel will not tolerate attempts to harm it, and would respond "with force against any such attempt."
Ya'alon visited the Northern Command's headquarters in Safed and heard a security evaluation. He was joined by the Northern Command chief Maj.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi (who was until recently commander of Military Intelligence), the head of the Operations Branch Maj.-Gen. Yoav Har Even, and other senior officers from the command.
The defense minister heard about the latest IDF preparations in the north designed to ensure maximum readiness, after an air strike on Sunday killed 12 senior Hezbollah and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) operatives near Quneitra, Syria.
The targets of the strike included Jihad Mugniyeh, son of the late Hezbollah terrorist operations commander, senior Hezbollah member Muhammad Issa, and IRGC general Muhammad Ali Allahdadi. According to Western intelligence sources, the operatives were in the midst of planning a series of rocket attacks, bombings, anti-tank missile strikes, and infiltrations against Israel.
"We must be prepared for any attempt to challenge us in light of calls heard on the other side," Ya'alon said, referring to calls in Iran to attack Israel.
"We must continue to keep calm and be patient, and know how to respond in the most suitable manner, which will clarify to all who try to harm us that we will not tolerate provocations from any area," Ya'alon said.
"Israel will view governments, regimes, and organizations that lie beyond its northern border as being responsible for what happens in their territory, and it will know how to exact a price in any case of harm to Israeli sovereignty, civilians, or soldiers," he warned.
"I call on residents of the north and visitors to maintain their daily routine, and listen to IDF instructions if necessary. We will continue to act with determination, responsibility, and sound judgment to safeguard the security of Israeli civilians," Ya'alon stated.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz also visited the Northern Command on Friday, and said that military forces are "following what is happening here."
"We are very prepared and alert for any operation that is required. The public is correctly maintaining its routine. The north is quiet, strong, and steadfast. The IDF is prepared for any mission," Gantz said.

JPost.com