Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Thursday responded to
terror attacks in the South that killed seven and wounded dozens more, saying, "Those who think Israel will accept attacks on its citizens is wrong."
Netanyahu
said that the attacks on Israel from Sinai in Egypt constituted an
attempt to raise the level of terror.
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The prime minister said that Israel "responds immediately and with strength" to terror attacks against its citizens.
Prior to Netanyahu's televised statement, the
IDF attacked terror targets
in Rafah in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, in response to the terror
attacks. Six Palestinians were killed in the joint IDF and Shin Bet
(Israel Security Agency) strike.
Among those killed was the chief of the Popular Resistance Committees
(PRC), Kamal al-Nairab. The five others that were killed were also
members of the terrorist faction.
Netanyahu praised the IDF and Shin Bet "for killing in Gaza the leaders
of the group who carried out the terror attack in the South."
The prime minister praised IDF soldiers and security forces who
prevented a greater tragedy from occurring with their actions against
the terrorists.
Netanyahu sent his condolences to the families of the victims of the attacks and wished those who were injured a swift recovery.
On Thursday evening, President Shimon Peres called Eilat Mayor Meir Yitzhak Halevi and Eilot Regional Council Head Udi Gut to express his empathy with the residents of the region, and his outrage that such an attack could take place.
Peres told the two local leaders that the attack was part of a series against innocent civilians within Israel's borders, and an attempt to disrupt the routine life of the population.
Peres was absolutely convinced that the IDF will track down the perpetrators
and anyone connected with the what he called "an outrageous terrorist attack" and bring them to justice. He was equally sure that the general public has full confidence in the ability of the IDF to maintain security in the area.
Peres also said that he had been impressed by the swift reaction of rescue operators, doctors, and social workers and expressed condolences to the families of victims of the attack. He also wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
Yaakov Katz and Reuters contributed to this report.
