The Mount Hermon ski resort will reopen this morning for visitors and skiers, in full coordination with the IDF, following yesterday's incident in the Har Dov region in which two Israeli soldiers were killed. Speaking about yesterday's incident, IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Moti Almoz said, 'The reality of the past few days and the past year in the northern command did not begin today and regrettably it won't end tomorrow: it's a long struggle to protect the people of the north."
Commenting on coping with the threat, Almoz added, "The IDF has very large forces in the region. The Israel Air Force has targets prepared in Lebanon and we are ready to operate if we have to. In the past few hours we have held an evaluation session for the latest situation and IDG Chief of Staff Lt. Col Benny Gantz was here. We understand the responsibility that we have and we are operating according to the considerations required. All force that we use takes into account the results that will follow."
He stressed, "You must continue with your regular lives and act according to our instructions. In the event that we need to take stricter measures or any other steps then we will let you know. Life must go on in the northern command region."
Almoz was reluctant to speculate about the IDF's next actions. "I see that people have jumped to conclusions about the incident long before the military investigation has been completed.
He also sidestepped questions about reports that the army vehicle in which the soldiers who were killed yesterday was travelling did not have adequate protection. "That is an important question but but I suggest we wait patiently. This is not the moment to discuss these issues. I suggest we behave responsibly and there will be enough time afterwards to talk about these questions."
The Home Command has instructed residents to return to their regular lives and told some of the towns and villages that opened their shelters, just to be on the safe side, to close them again so as to not send the wrong message that Israel is preparing for war.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 29, 2015
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