Two years after the dust and rubble that resulted from the Gaza rocket attacks during Operation Protective Edge, the residents of Sderot had reason to celebrate this week.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Sderot Thursday to join them in marking the completion of a project to reinforce homes against rocket attacks launched from Gaza.
Netanyahu told participants in the celebration that although one cannot always change a strategic environment, it is possible to achieve deterrence against the threat posed by an enemy.
“The operation has now given us the quietest two years that we have had in the past decade. See, while we cannot shape the strategic environment in which we live, we do have possibility of achieving deterrence against our enemies and, to the extent that it proves necessary, to inflict significant damage on the infrastructures of terror.
“Our policy is to respond vigorously to any violation – no matter how small – of the calm, and you see this, and make it clear to those on the other side that the rules of the game have changed.
“Quiet here equals quiet in Gaza,” Netanyahu said. “Attacking us will lead to ruin and destruction for Hamas, Islamic Jihad and whoever tries to attack us from the other side of the fence.
“We will respond in strength to any attempt to attack our communities and our citizens,” he said.
“I would like to emphasize that while structural reinforcement is a lifesaving step, it is no substitute for our offensive striking power. I am constantly hearing about what Hamas is doing but I know what we are doing. I know what we are planning. I know how we are organizing. I know but I do not intend to tell you.”