Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, observing a war drill in the Golan Heights. Photo: Kobi Gideon / GPO.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday held a security meeting at an undisclosed IDF base near the front with Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, Israel Defense Forces Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz and GOC Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Sammy Turgeman.

Netanyahu said, “The IDF is making progress in the field according to plan and the operation will be expanded until the goal is achieved – restoring quiet to the citizens of Israel for a long period.”

“The achievements in the fighting in the field are outstanding,” he said. “I am impressed by the operation to hit the tunnels; it is achieving results beyond what we expected.”

“On behalf of the people of Israel, I tell all the soldiers in the field that we are proud of their strength of spirit and that we pray for their well-being. A military campaign is a complex thing and it has difficult moments. I am certain that together, united, we will reach the goal.”

On Saturday night, 13 IDF soldiers died in combat.