Minister Lieberman visits wounded soldiers
Photo: Ariel Harmoni/Defense Ministry
Lieberman vows to 'settle scores' with weekend bombers
Paying visit to soldiers wounded in bombing at Gaza border fence, defense minister promises consequences against perpetrators, rails against Hamas ‘using citizens as live ammunition.'
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman made a promise Tuesday afternoon to the IDF soldiers who were wounded over the weekend when an explosive device was set off near an IDF patrol near Gaza that “scores will be settled” with the perpetrators.
Telling the soldiers that “we are proud of you” during a visit to the Soroka University Medical Center in Be’er Sheva where the three of the four wounded are recovering, Lieberman was joined by the general manager of the hospital, Dr, Shlomi Kodesh. The minister also received a briefing on the soldiers’ medical conditions.
Minister Lieberman visits wounded soldiers (Photo: Ariel Harmoni/Defense Ministry)
“I came to you directly from a visit to the Gaza region where I received a security briefing about the incident and its consequences,” he told the soldiers. “The IDF will settle scores with those who planted the bomb and those who sent them. We are proud of you and will give you any assistance and support.”
Dr. Kodesh also said that Soroka University Medical Center was already used to receiving and treating people injured near the Gaza Strip. “Hospital teams will continue to provide the required medical treatment for their recovery,” he said. “Unfortunately, there are serious injuries among some of the soldiers.”
During his visit to the Gaza region, Lieberman was briefed by Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, head of Southern Command General Eyal Zamir and Gaza Division commander Brig. Gen. Yehuda Fox.
(Photo: Rachel David/Soroka)
“Hamas is using citizens of Gaza as live ammunition. When it sends its citizens to engage in a skirmish with IDF soldiers on the border fence, it understands what the price is, and uses those citizens to carry out terror activities at the same time as protests,” Lieberman said in a statement to the press.
Since Hamas was present at the border fence at the time of the explosion, Lieberman said, there would be consequences. However, he refused to elaborate on details. “We have learnt the lessons and made assessments of the situation. There are conclusions and we will act accordingly.”
PM Netanyahu (Photo: EPA)
Also addressing the heightened tensions on the Gaza border, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said any attempts to violate Israeli sovereignty or harm IDF soldiers would not be tolerated.
“Any hostile act will be met with a determined and powerful response by us, by the IDF and security forces,” Netanyahu said during a ceremony for the opening of an emergency medical ward in a reinforced hospital building in Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon.
