‘Report must yield results, not blame’

Sha’ar Hanegev head says only way to solve tunnels is through combat

Gaza border community leaders said they hope the report on Operation Protective Edge will yield details on how to better secure their communities and not lead to political infighting.

“The security of Gaza envelope residents is not a political issue. It is a national priority,” Alon Schuster, head of the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council told The Jerusalem Post, adding that the State Comptroller report on the 2014 Gaza war should not be an indictment of any politician but should help guide future actions. “They need to know how to command better, how to make the security cabinet better and improve its connection the army.”

Schuster said he trusts the army, adding that the IDF is operating in the area to prevent and destroy tunnels Hamas is digging, however, Schuster contended that the only way to solve the tunnel problem “seems to be through combat.”

He said that despite being on the frontline of a future war with Hamas, the 6,000 residents of Sha’ar Hanegev are generally optimistic about the future.

“If people are fearful then they wouldn’t live here, but they are coming to the area, we don’t have enough space for the people coming,” he said.

Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi, whose town was the most heavily hit in the last war, told the Post he welcomes the report and is looking forward to, “building new residential neighborhoods, welcoming new residents, establishing playgrounds and recreational parks and continuing to invest in our education system.”

Speaking to Ynet, Davidi also said “we need to learn lessons from the upcoming report and not look to blame... The State of Israel must not be drawn into self-flagellation. The enemies have been given a clear signal that anyone who messes with the residents will have to pay for it.”