Netanyahu: I will convene the Security Cabinet to direct the army on how to achieve the war objectives

SadaNews - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated at the start of a government session today, Monday, that he is determined to hold a Security Cabinet meeting this week to "direct the Israeli army on how to achieve the three objectives we have set for the war" on Gaza.

In turn, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced an investment package for the southern region of the country amounting to 3.2 billion shekels, which includes plans to rebuild and expand the "Gaza envelope" towns and the city of Ashkelon, with commitments to "double the population in that area as a sign of victory," as he put it.

Netanyahu said, "Fifteen hundred and fifty-five years ago, on the evening of the ninth of Av, we suffered our greatest defeat in history, which changed the course of Jewish history. At that time, we were divided and fighting amongst ourselves.
Today, on the same occasion, we are in the midst of a fierce war during which we have achieved significant and historic accomplishments, because we are not divided; we stood together and fought together."

He added, "We must continue to stand together and fight together to achieve the three objectives we have set for the war: decisively defeating the enemy, freeing our hostages, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel."

He continued, "Later this week, I will convene a Security Cabinet meeting to direct the army on how to achieve these three objectives, fully and without exception. At the same time, we continue to build our state. The government will approve today two very important plans for the reconstruction and development of the south, with a total amount of 3.2 billion shekels."

He explained that "the first plan is dedicated to the city of Ashkelon. About a month ago, I visited the 'Katsar' facility (the Eilat-Ashkelon Pipeline Company). During the visit, I said that Ashkelon would grow and develop like never before. And this is indeed happening, and will happen at an even stronger pace, because we will invest in education, infrastructure, culture, sports, and the local economy."

He added, "In another plan we are presenting today, we will rebuild and develop Ofakim, Netivot, the Merhavim Council, Ashkelon, Sha'ar HaNegev, and Sdot Negev. We plan to develop industrial areas, encourage innovation and research centers, as well as establish the first Paralympic village of its kind in Israel for athletes with disabilities."

For his part, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said, "In the context of what the Prime Minister said about 'unity', which is always important, especially these days around the anniversary of the ninth of Av, I believe that 'unity' is the headline for these two significant decisions. We have gone through a very long process that included legislation to provide the legal framework for what we call 'the envelope of the envelope.'"

He added, "As the Prime Minister mentioned, more than 3 billion shekels have been allocated for Netivot, Ofakim, and for cities that have not received government attention for decades. The same applies to Ashkelon.
We succeeded in reaching agreements with all the heads of local authorities. We took part of the 'Tekuma' budget and transferred it, and added about 2 billion shekels as an additional budget from the Ministry of Finance, with the participation of all the ministers involved in this effort."

He said, "There is a huge push for Netivot, Ofakim, the Merhavim Council, and the towns belonging to the 'Gaza envelope' councils that are located outside the 0 to 7 km range, including Ashkelon, which has received the highest number of rockets in recent years."

He added, "The real test for all of us will be in the implementation. If we succeed in translating these plans into reality, then this, in our opinion, has the potential to double the population in these areas. And this is the true victory."

He continued, "Alongside the military victory, which we are still committed to and insist on achieving by destroying Hamas and returning our hostages, the real victory is when the remaining few enemies on the other side of the border look at the Israeli side and say: 'The area we wanted to destroy and wipe out has grown, thrived, and developed.'"

He said, "We are doing this in the north as well, through the decision we passed two weeks ago for the areas 0-2 km, and we will present additional decisions soon in the field of education, five-year programs, and other areas.
We did this in the 'Tekuma' program, and now we are expanding the circle. In short – a huge push in the south, and a huge push in the north. This is Zionism, this is how we win, and this is how we build our state everywhere."