Israel will "use force to protect the security of its soldiers and citizens and to foil operations against us," Defense Minister Ehud Barak
said Friday, in response to ongoing rocket attacks on Israel.
"If the other side chooses a ceasefire, we will consider giving it a chance."
"We have the duty to defend our citizens, and we can't accept this kind of shooting," he said during a tour of the beleaguered southern city of Sderot.
The defense minister noted that, during military operations in the past week, 12 Hamas
operatives had been killed.
His words reflect the sentiments of other security officials prior to an emergency meeting that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is expected to hold this afternoon in Tel Aviv. "If Hamas decides to violate the ceasefire completely, they will pay a heavy price," the sources said.
Meanwhile, Ashkelon mayor Roni Mehatzri announced that crews from the municipality had begun opening shelters across the southern Israeli city. Regional Magen David Adom, firefighters and security forces are on high alert.
The municipality reminded residents that, if necessary, security alerts would be announced on the 101.5 FM radio station. The mayor of the city asked residents to refrain from large gatherings over the weekend.
&91;1&93;_a.jpg "Ehud Barak Photo: Knesset Channel")
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