IDF Chief of Staff on tour at Syrian border: “If Assad will deteriorate the situation in the Golan Heights, he will have to bear the consequences”

idfspokesperson

IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, toured the Israel-Syrian border this morning, along with the General Commander of the Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Yair Golan and  Commander of the 36th Armored Division of the Northern Command, Brig. Gen. Tamir Heyman.

During the tour of the Syrian border, the Chief of Staff closely examined the readiness of IDF troops and spoke with soldiers and commanders in the Nahal Brigade who are on operational duty along the border. Lt. Gen. Gantz stressed that "we must remain alert and vigilant during this challenging time.”

May 21st, 2013: IDF Chief of Staff surveying the Syrian border.

Later in the day, Lt. Gen. Gantz attended a conference marking the 25th anniversary of the University of Haifa’s defense program, and discussed the previous night’s gunfire coming in from Syria towards an IDF patrol in the Golan Heights. Lt. Gen. Gantz stated that “shots were fired three times from a Syrian patrol, so it had to be neutralized.”

The Chief of Staff stressed that the IDF is aware of Syria’s numerous attempts recently to smuggle in weapons and of Assad’s plans to expand operations against Israel. “We will not allow the Golan Heights to become a comfortable place for assault from Assad,” declared Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz.

May 21st, 2013: IDF Chief of Staff at the Syrian border.

Lt. Gen. Gantz warned that "if Assad will deteriorate the situation in the Golan Heights, he will have to bear the consequences. I am not a litigious person, but we need to know how to defend our Northern border under its deteriorating reality.”