Kochavi added: "We are not interested in an escalation but we are ready - on the ground, in the air and at sea."
The IDF's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories closed the Erez and Kerem HaShalom crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip, and restricted the fishing zone Palestinians can enter off the coast of Gaza.“We stand behind the security forces, who have been working for the success of this morning’s operations for a long time," said President Reuven Rivlin in a statement. "I know that they, and the Israeli government that approved the operation, have Israel’s security, and only that, in their minds."This is no time for political squabbles, and those who do so bring no credit to themselves. It is the time to stop such statements immediately. Israeli citizens – please listen to the life-saving instructions of the IDF Home Front Command and take good care of yourselves.”