Lieberman: Israel army ready for any escalation

Israel is ready “for any scenario”, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said yesterday in regards to a potential war on the Gaza Strip in response to the increase in demonstration following US President Donald Trump’s declaration on Jerusalem last week.

Palestinian protesters have been met with a heavy handed response from Israeli occupation forces who have used shelling to damage infrastructure in the besieged Strip and fired at protesters, killing and wounding many. In response, Palestinians have resorted to rocket fire into uninhabited areas in southern Israel.

Lieberman said the recent rocket fire was the result of internal Palestinian political spats and not an indication that Palestinian factions were no longer afraid of Israel.

“The recent launches from Gaza at Sderot have nothing to do with Israeli deterrence, but [are a result of] internal Palestinian struggles between different groups and factions,” he said.

Read: Lieberman calls for raising army’s budget to face regional changes

Lieberman called on Israelis to “relax”, adding that he had “instructed the IDF [Israel army] to prepare for any scenario.”

“We know what to do, how to do it and when to do it,” he added.

Israel yesterday closed the Beit Hanoun (Erez) and Kerem Shalom border crossings to Gaza “until further notice”, citing security concerns. The two crossings are the main entry points for goods and people into the besieged Gaza Strip.

Last week, Trump announced his administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as the united capital of Israel causing a wave of protests across the globe.