Barak: We'll use any means to catch Itamar terrorists

Defense minister strongly condemns attack in which 5 family members killed; Lieberman instructs UN representatives to submit complaint.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Barak 58 reuters (photo credit: Reuters)
Barak 58 reuters
(photo credit: Reuters)
Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Saturday strongly condemned a terrorist attack in the Itamar settlement in which five family members were murdered. "This is a very serious incident and my heart goes out to the family," the defense minister said.
"The IDF will use any means possible to catch the murder culprits," Barak said.
RELATED:5 family members murdered by terrorist in Itamar settlementFour killed as terrorists open fire near Kiryat ArbaRocket falls on Beersheba; FM demands UN action be taken
Barak held discussions with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz in an attempt to decide how to respond to the attack.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Saturday instructed the Israeli delegation at the UN to submit a severe complaint following the incident.
Lieberman added that the fact that the Palestinian Authority has yet to condemn the attack "says more than anything about the true nature of someone who is supposed to be partner for negotiations."
Lieberman stressed that Israel expects to hear strong condemnation from democratic countries in wake of the attack.
Yesha Council chairman Danny Dayan following the attack said on Saturday that the army does not provide enough protection for settlements.
"The emergency squad are the ones responsible for maintaining the security of the settlement, despite the fact that the IDF could and should help," Dayan said.
He went on to say "Some of the security requirements of the residents have not been addressed, and these measures may have prevented the attack."
OC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Avi Mizrahi also reacted to the attack and expressed his condolences following the terrorist attack in Itamar. "An entire family was killed by despicable and cowardly murderers who murdered children and parents for no reason," he said.
Mizrahi hinted that security intelligence had a lead on the identity of the terrorists: "We are in the midst of pursuing the terrorists and I believe that will catch them very soon."