DHAKA: Israel prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu warned Israel’s enemies throughout the Middle East on Monday that Israel would strike back if any of them attempt to harm the Jewish state.

Speaking at a meeting of his Likud Beytenu faction in the Knesset, Netanyahu praised the Shin Bet security service, police, and IDF for identifying and apprehending the murderer of police deputy major general Baruch Mizrahi, whose arrest was revealed Monday.

Netanyahu noted that he had ordered the demolition of the home of Mizrahi’s killer, a Hamas operative released in the Gilad Schalit deal.

He vowed to take more steps against Hamas, including more arrests and house demolitions.

The prime minister told the faction that he had taken steps against terrorists in Israeli jails. He said their visiting hours were cut to the minimum required by international conventions.

Responding to a question from Israel’s deputy defense minister Danny Danon about Israeli prisons being ‘summer camps’, Netanyahu said the terrorists’ cell phone usage would be cut and they would not be permitted to watch the World Cup.

He also reported to the faction about the IDF’s airstrikes in Syria that came in retaliation for the deadly missile attack that killed teenager Muhammad Karaka.

‘We demonstrated strength overnight versus the Syrian army that took action against us and if there is a need, we will use more force. We will continue to take forceful action against anyone who harms us or attempts to harm us,’ Netanyahu said.

BDST: 2115 HRS, JUNE 23, 2014