Photo by GPO

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert this morning, toured the Israel Air Force base at Hatzerim and IDF Southern Command headquarters in Be'er Sheva, as the guest of GOC Air Force Maj.-Gen. Ido Nehushtan and GOC Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Yoav Galant, respectively, in order to closely monitor the operational activity in the Gaza Strip.

At Hatzerim, Prime Minister Olmert was briefed by senior IAF flight commanders on their operational deployment and viewed aerial films of bombings.  The Prime Minister told pilots: "The Air Force is Israel's strategic arm.  Its professionalism is among the highest, if not the highest, in the world.  This is essential not just because of the sense of security that it gives us all but because this ability allows leaders to make decisions amidst conditions of uncertainty.  The knowledge that you will carry out the mission in the best and most precise manner possible allows us to be calm while deciding on action.  Your dedication, daring, sophistication and exact implementation give us a sense of quiet and instill pride in the entire country."

Photo by GPO

Defense Minister Ehud Barak accompanied Prime Minister Olmert at IDF Southern Command headquarters.  The two men were briefed by Maj.-Gen. Galant, GOC Gaza Brig.-Gen. Eyal Eisenberg and other senior commanders on the progress of the operation, including strikes at targets, the IDF's preparedness and possible additional stages.  The Prime Minister said: "For months, we said that Israel will not leave its residents under the threat of missiles without responding and that when the time came to respond, we would do so with determination and dedication in order to restore quiet to our southern communities.  As IDF commanders and soldiers, you are fully committed to the mission and I am certain that the entire country expresses is gratitude."