Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, today, visited IDF Central Command, accompanied by Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai, IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Gaby Ashkenazi and GOC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Gadi Shamni. The visit focused on Central Command’s southern sector, especially the city of Hebron. The Prime Minister was briefed on IDF activity in the area, the war on terrorism, the easing of restrictions on Palestinians’ lives in Judea and Samaria (http://tinyurl.com/6jr9s7), and on the construction of the separation fence (http://tinyurl.com/4tbr9).
After the visit, Prime Minister held a situation assessment with Central Command brigade commanders. Each brigade commander briefed the Prime Minister on the main activities being carried out, as well as on the existing threats, in his area. GOC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Shamni, IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Ashkenazi and Deputy Defense Minister Vilnai summarized the discussion.
Prime Minister Olmert expressed his appreciation for the brigade commanders’, officers’ and soldiers’ role in the unyielding IDF and ISA war against terrorist elements in the area, especially those from Hamas. He emphasized the need to ease restrictions – by as much as possible – on the lives of Palestinians in Judea and Samaria in order to help advance the peace process.