Peretz warns Hamas over Gaza weapons
Defense minister says IDF may have to act against terror groups in Gaza; also sends warning to Hizbullah
Israel will not hesitate to act against a military buildup by Palestinian terror groups in the Gaza strip, Defense Minister Amir Peretz said on Tuesday that the situation in Gaza, in particular the actions of Hamas, will soon be impossible for Israel to ignore.
"The main issue is their taking advantage of the ceasefire to gain power and hoard weapons," said Peretz during a tour of the southern front with Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi and Southern Command Chief Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant. "We have no intention of letting them turn this into a bona fide threat to Israel. We are doing everything within our power to maintain the ceasefire and to avoid the escalation that the extremists are hoping for," continued Peretz.
Peretz and Ashkenazi on Tuesday (Photo: Amir Cohen)
"Having said this, the fact that their power is growing and taking on a completely different nature will compel us to prepare ourselves accordingly," added Peretz. "Our ultimate goal is to protect the citizens of Israel. We will take whatever actions are needed to avoid the increased threats, and we will take these actions with no qualms or reservations."
New weapons in Gaza
Several weeks ago Shin Bet Chief Yuval Diskin warned of arms smuggling along Gaza's border with Egypt, noting an alarming rise in the amount of weapons and ammunition streaming through the border over which Israel has no control.
Peretz stressed that there was no one solution to the problem. "It's both a military and political issue. The Egyptians have indeed been operating against the smuggling and they've thwarted several attempts and I hope they will continue to do this in the future. As for us, we are preparing to minimize the threat."
Asked whether a military solution was being considered Peretz answered: "Any solution which will defend the citizens of Israel is being considered. This protection is placed above all other considerations. We would prefer a political solution, but where that fails, we will also have military activity."
Peretz: Hizbullah continues to violate 1701
Both Peretz and Ashkenazi were asked to comment on the situation on Israel's northern border. Peretz
said that Hizbullah continued to smuggle weapons in via the Syrian border. "This is a violation of UN resolution 1701. We view the situation gravely and we have no intention of allowing it to continue. We have expressed this to the relevant parties, but ultimately we ourselves will shoulder the responsibility."
Ashkenazi added that Hizbullah was striving to rehabilitate its capabilities to what they were before the war, but stressed that "they aren't at that point yet, it will take them time."
