The security cabinet announced Wednesday it would recommend the government refrain from launching a wide-scale operation in Gaza, opting instead to continue with targeted IDF operations.
Data given to the cabinet revealed that the IDF has held 115 operations aimed at destroying terror infrastructure and Qassam cells in the Strip since the beginning of the year, and killed 260 Palestinian terrorists.
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Barak: IDF operation in Gaza is just a matter of time / Hanan Greenberg
Defense minister briefed on daily operations during visit to Gaza region division. 'Your actions keep Israeli citizen's safe' he tells soldiers before hinting Israel may launch wide-scale offensive in Gaza
Still, some 970 Qassam rockets and 1,200 mortar shells were fired from Gaza towards Israel since the beginning of 2007. Israel suffered five related casualties – three IDF soldiers and two civilians.
The security cabinet was also briefed on the economic sanction imposed on the Gaza Strip: According to the Civil Administration, the sanctions have begun taking their toll, as Hamas' support
is declining.
The sanctions, however, did little to weaken Hamas' military strength, as it keeps armoring, especially due to the ongoing weapons' smuggling from Egypt.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni briefed the cabinet on the political efforts made in regards to the situation in Gaza. The world, said Livni, understands Israel's need
to defend itself against terror.
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