IDF Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, visited the Jordan Valley and the Valleys Brigade yesterday (Tuesday). The Chief of Staff toured the site where a terrorist was neutralized after firing at the Beqaot settlement about two weeks ago and conducted a situation assessment with commanders regarding the eastern border and security efforts in Samaria and the Jordan Valley.
"We will be here with more forces"
Halevi then held discussions with heads of local authorities in the Jordan Valley, the Jordan Valley, the Emek HaMaayanot, and the Dead Sea. He told the local officials: "The IDF is fighting on seven fronts with very different characteristics. We are here to first strengthen security, and after that, also to enhance the sense of security. There is great importance in the alert teams, and we are working to strengthen them and investing a lot in this."
He added: "We will be here with as many forces and resources as possible to build a better security infrastructure, which will provide better security for the settlements. This will also be thanks to the partnership between us and you."
This visit comes after recent escalations in security tensions in the region, including attacks by terrorists targeting Israeli settlements. About two weeks ago, there was even a shooting attack near the Makhola junction. As a result of the attack, 21-year-old Yonatan Deutsch from Beit She'an was killed.