Netanyahu responds to criticism for not including Kiryat Shmonah mayor in tour of north

Responding to criticism that he didn't include the Mayor of Kiryat Shmonah in a tour of the Hezbollah-caused fires which includes the city, Prime Minister Netanyahu said today (Wednesday) that no civilians had been included on the tour, and that he met with the Mayor and other local leaders the previous day.

During the tour, Netanyahu said that "Today I am on the northern border with our heroic fighters and commanders, as well as with our firefighters. Yesterday the ground burned here and I am pleased that you have extinguished it, but ground also burned in Lebanon.

"Whoever thinks he can hurt us and we will respond by sitting on our hands is making a big mistake.

"We are prepared for very intense action in the north. One way or another, we will restore security to the north."