Lilach Shoval
Prime minister warns enemies not to test Israel's resolve in the final stretch of the campaign. "Our long arm will reach you anywhere and anytime," he vows. Unusual video prompts main rival Gadi Eisenkot to demand an immediate intelligence update for the opposition leader.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an unusual warning during a Tuesday visit to Tel Nof Israeli Air Force base, declaring that there were indications that "our enemies will try to attack us" ahead of the Knesset elections scheduled for Oct. 26. Moments after releasing the ominous video, the premier was spotted surrounded by a heavy security detail at a commercial center in Ashdod.
Standing alongside military personnel and against the backdrop of a fighter jet, he continued, "I am here at the air force base with our heroic pilots and wonderful ground crews. We are operating constantly in all sectors. On Sunday we eliminated the despicable terrorist who kidnapped Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or. We brought them back home; we eliminated him. Overnight we eliminated the Hamas Northern Gaza Strip Brigade commander. He joined his predecessors, whom we also eliminated."
Netanyahu highlighted recent military successes – stressing the ongoing campaign across multiple fronts – before pivoting to the diplomatic pressures facing Israel. "In total over the past few weeks we eliminated over 100 terrorists, and that is just in Gaza," he said. "Of course we are also operating in Lebanon, you remember what we did to the Ali Taher ridge (a strategic area in southern Lebanon). There are tremendous achievements, but there are also tremendous pressures, and the pressures are to retreat, to give up the great achievements secured through the bravery of our fighters. I am not letting that happen, and I will not let that happen."
Returning to his key warning, he added, "And one more thing: Wwe have signs that ahead of the elections our enemies will try to attack us. So from here, from the Air Force base, from the long arm of the State of Israel, I deliver a message to you. Do not mess with us, not now and not ever, our long arm will reach you anywhere and anytime."
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