VIDEO - The members of the Security Cabinet authorized the IDF Sunday afternoon to carry out attacks against Hamas and Islamic Jihad top commanders, in a bid to battle the ongoing Qassam fire from the Gaza Strip.
It was also decided that the military steps would be accompanied by an international diplomatic campaign to explain Israel's stance to the world.
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| Rockets rain down on Negev / Shmulik Hadad |
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Qassam rocket barrages continue for sixth consecutive day on southern communities; eleven rockets land since morning |
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According to political sources, the army chief was satisfied with the decision.
In the meeting, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said, "There is no magic solution to the Qassams…obviously every solution is complicated and has numerous implications. Therefore we will act gradually. We are raising the bar in the battle against the terror commanders and infrastructure. The purpose is to claim a much higher price from Hamas and the Islamic Jihad."
In response to demands by some of the ministers to further escalate the military moves, the prime minister said that he does not rule out any action in the future. "If they increase the violence, we will raise the bar even higher."
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| Minister Isaac Herzog speaking before cabinet meeting (Video: Reuters) |
The cabinet approved both ground and air operations. The IAF will carry out targeted killings and hit Qassam cells, as well as arms caches and turneries, while the IDF will operate to push the Qassam cells away from the border, mainly in the northern part of the Strip.
The cabinet did not approve any action on the Philadelphi route, but decided to launch a diplomatic effort to stop the smuggling of arms into Gaza from Egypt.
In the meantime, the ministers refrained from recommending a wide-scale military operation in the Strip.
According to a statement published by the Prime Minister's Office following the meeting, "It was decided to allow the defense establishment to increase the operational steps aimed at putting a stop to the Qassam attacks and harming the terror infrastructure that enables the shooting.
"At this point, the operational activity will focus on Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets, who are responsible for the current escalation. If the agreed-upon moves do not bring about the desirable calm, the cabinet will convene again to consider further, more drastic moves."
The statement also said that the government would launch a diplomatic campaign to explain Israel's actions to the international community, and that the treatment of the Home Front would be expedited, in accordance with the government's decisions this morning.
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