Communicated by PM's Media Advisor Jerusalem 5 September 1997 PM Netanyahu statement on IDF casualties in Lebanon attack Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, last night and this morning (Friday) 5.9.97, received reports from the IDF and Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai on the events in Lebanon. In the wake of the disaster, the Prime Minister said: "This is a time of heavy sorrow and bereavement for the people of Israel. In the criminal terrorist bombing in Jerusalem, we lost the best of our youth, and last night in Lebanon, we lost 11 of our best soldiers. The State of Israel is fighting a hard and bitter battle against despicable terrorists on two fronts, whose aim is to destroy the State of Israel and murder its citizens. Our hearts go out to the families of the fallen and our we pray for a quick recovery for the wounded. In unity, we can say clearly -- these murderers will not defeat Israel. In the difficult struggle for our right to live in peace and security in our country, having great faith in the justice of our cause and the strength of our people, we will overcome. At this time, we say to each other the verse from Isaiah (41:6): 'They helped every one his neighbor; and everyone said to his brother: Be of good courage.'"