Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Cherie Cullen via Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, and several senior Israel Defense Forces officials met with the mayors of Israel’s southern cities on Monday night in an effort to put to rest concerns about the region’s security following the decision to withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza.

Netanyahu announced that Prime Minister’s Office Director-General Harel Locker will head a special team dedicated to social and economic growth in Israeli communities near Gaza.

Ya’alon announced that the IDF will be deployed in a way meant to increase the security in the area. “We are committed to restoring the residents’ sense of security, and this goal should lead to a process of growth and development for the communities adjacent to the Gaza border,” he said.

Hof Ashkelon Regional Council head Yair Farjoun, speaking on behalf of the other mayors at the end of the meeting, said the mayors had “a good feeling that the security of the Gaza vicinity communities is a priority for the government,” according to Israel Hayom.

“They made several promises, including putting security cameras in the communities closest to the border, which are under the greatest threat,” Farjoun said.