Israeli Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi said Monday that his country was ready for any future conflict with Hizbullah although he reassured that northern Israel was safe.

“We are keeping a close watch on what takes place on the northern border. Therefore, we responded immediately and proportionately to the area from which the Katyusha rockets were fired,” said Ashkenazi during a tour of northern Israel.

He held the Lebanese government and army responsible for the rocket firing on the Jewish state Friday, which drew Israeli artillery fire.

“All the sides are interested in quiet, which has prevailed here since the Second Lebanon War (in 2006). If there is no quiet, they will find us ready,” Ashkenazi said, while referring to the alleged Hizbullah arms cache blast in July.

“The explosions showed that Hizbullah is arming and getting stronger, but the IDF is organized and ready for everything,” Ashkenazi stressed.

He added that he planned to spend an upcoming Jewish holiday in northern Israel to “celebrate, have a good time and enjoy the views that the Galilee offers.”

“The north is safe. I recommend you come and enjoy yourselves in the Galilee,” he said.

Israeli Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi said Monday that his country was ready for any future conflict with Hizbullah although he reassured that northern Israel was safe.

“We are keeping a close watch on what takes place on the northern border. Therefore, we responded immediately and proportionately to the area from which the Katyusha rockets were fired,” said Ashkenazi during a tour of northern Israel.

He held the Lebanese government and army responsible for the rocket firing on the Jewish state Friday, which drew Israeli artillery fire.

“All the sides are interested in quiet, which has prevailed here since the Second Lebanon War (in 2006). If there is no quiet, they will find us ready,” Ashkenazi said, while referring to the alleged Hizbullah arms cache blast in July.

“The explosions showed that Hizbullah is arming and getting stronger, but the IDF is organized and ready for everything,” Ashkenazi stressed.

He added that he planned to spend an upcoming Jewish holiday in northern Israel to “celebrate, have a good time and enjoy the views that the Galilee offers.”

“The north is safe. I recommend you come and enjoy yourselves in the Galilee,” he said.