Poised to depart the United States for his flight back to Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday morning that he was "not surprised" that "Palestinian terrorists fired on Israel exactly at the time of the historic ceremony."
"They want to set peace back, but they won't succeed," Netanyahu said.
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The prime minister continued: "We are now finishing a historic visit to Washington, during which we signed two peace agreements with two Arab countries. The citizens of Israel will see the fruit of these agreements very soon, but they will last for generations. Everyone who was there understands the historic change in favor of Israel and in favor of peace."
"I am now returning to Israel with three missions: to battle coronavirus; to battle terrorism, and to continue expanding the circle of peace," the prime minister said, warning that Israel would "strike anyone who puts out their hand to hurt us, and we will extend our hand in peace to all those who seek peace with us."
President Reuven Rivlin also responded to the rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip.
"It was a difficult night of despicable rocket fire. This morning, too, we are with the residents who underwent hours of shooting and strikes, full of appreciation for their strength," Rivlin said.
"We are sending prayers for the wounded in Ashdod to recover quickly, and support the IDF, which has been operating since last night to retaliate for the rocket fire from Gaza. We will not allow rocket terrorism to pass without response, and we will not abandon the safety of our citizens," Rivlin said.
A 62-year-old man from Ashdod who sustained shrapnel wounds to his upper body when a rocket landed near a shopping center in the city Tuesday evening has taken a turn for the worse, and on Wednesday morning was listed in serious condition at Assuta Medical Center in Ashdod. However, medical staff reported that he was stable.
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