New Israeli President MK Reuven Rivlin. Photo: Itzike via Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – As Israeli soldiers continue to battle Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, Reuven Rivlin was sworn into office as Israel’s 10th president on Thursday afternoon at the Knesset.

Outgoing President Shimon Peres issued a farewell speech following his seven-year term. The 90-year-old outgoing president dedicated his last days in office to visiting bereaved families of fallen soldiers and traveling around the country to lift the spirits of Israeli citizens.

On Wednesday, Peres met with Iron Dome operators and visited schoolchildren in Sderot.