Netanyahu to the Pilots: "We Stand Together, We Will Fight Shoulder to Shoulder"

Shoulder to shoulder, Netanyahu and the pilots (Photo: Kobi Gideon / GPO)

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met today (Sunday) at the Ramon Airbase with the Israeli Air Force pilots and delivered a message to Hamas: "Our enemies were wrong to think that you would not stand ready on the day of command."

At the beginning of his visit, Netanyahu received a briefing from the commander of the base, Major General G, about the activities of the air force and the combat helicopter system during the fighting in the Gaza Strip. This included air attacks and close air support to the ground forces operating in the area. The base commander emphasized the close cooperation and coordination between the air forces and the ground forces.

Our enemies thought that you would not show up (Video: Itay Beit On / GPO, Sound: Yehezkel Kandil / GPO)

During the visit, Netanyahu held a meeting and had discussions with the combatants who participated in the fighting and received a briefing on the activities of the "Sufa" system of F16i combat aircraft. Additionally, the Prime Minister had a conversation with the technical staff at the base who are responsible for the maintenance of the aircraft and their weaponry.

Netanyahu: "Our enemies were wrong when they thought that on the day of command you would not show up"

At the end of the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the pilots for their readiness and delivered a message to Hamas, suggesting to the terrorist organizations that the past year and the hardships did not prevent the members of the Air Force from standing alongside the government. He said, "I thank you. Our enemies miscalculated us; they thought that on the day of command, we wouldn't stand together. We stand together, and we are now fighting side by side."

Netanyahu at the Ramon base (Photo: Kobi Gideon / GPO)

Netanyahu also mentioned the issue of the captives and the ceasefire and connected the two. He said, "I also want you to know that there is one thing we will not do - there will be no ceasefire without the return of our captives. Remove that from the lexicon. We say this to our enemies and to our friends as well.

"We will simply continue until we defeat them; we have no alternative. I think today, we all understand this. The entire nation is united and relies on you, appreciates what you are doing, and believes in you. We will continue together until victory."