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Friday, February 23, 2024
Gantz: Up to border residents to decide when to return, state will provide help
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War cabinet minister Benny Gantz says the decision of Gaza border community residents and northern border community residents to return to their homes rests with them and vows the state will assist them.
The statement comes a day after the army declared it essentially safe to return to all communities located between four and seven kilometers (2.5-4.3 miles) from the border with Gaza, along with 18 communities even closer to the Strip, including some practically abutting the war-ravaged enclave.
“The fighting will continue also in the future deep within the enemy’s territory, and not along the border. We will protect the communities with increased forces and we will reach every place where Hamas terrorists are,” he says in a video message, adding that the military will eventually launch its much-anticipated offensive in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah.
“The decision to return is in your hands. The state will assist all families or communities to make the right decision for them. We will provide you with all the civil services,” he states, adding that their security is the government’s responsibility.
The National Unity party leader vows the war will not end until northern residents can return, saying the government was acting “diplomatically and militarily” to ensure Iran-backed Hezbollah no longer poses a threat.
“Hezbollah has already been pushed from the border, and we are preparing for the day the order is given when we need to expand our activities,” he says, adding it is his intention to advance plans for strengthening security in the north.
גנץ מתחייב: נהיה ברפיח בעומק השטח. לא נעצור עד שנסיר את האיום – ונשיב את החטופים pic.twitter.com/PTfUKDhBRz
— החדשות – N12 (@N12News) February 23, 2024
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