Barak: Difficult decisions to make Photo: Ariel Hermoni, Defense Ministry
Barak: IDF prepared if Gaza op needed
Defense minister says, 'In due time we may have to conduct extensive military operation in Gaza – but instigation is not policy'; adds ceasefire not harming chances of bringing Shalit home
"The firing of Qassams on Sderot and Grad missiles on Ashkelon is intolerable," Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Saturday after a week of tension in the Gaza vicinity. On Saturday afternoon an additional mortar shell was fired and landed in Eshkol Regional Council. No injuries or damage were reported.
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"In due time we may have to conduct an extensive military operation in Gaza – but instigation is not a policy," Barak said during a law convention hosted by the Netanya Academic College. He stressed that his office was "minister of defense, not war."
The defense minister also referred to the Israel's options if the situation in Gaza were to deteriorate further. "The IDF is fully prepared for a strong operation that would be very painful for the other side, but two years ago we already witnessed what snap decisions can do to Israel's security," he said, hinting at the Second Lebanon War.
Barak also spoke about the closing of the border crossings, which led to a great deal of international rebuke. "I guess we can't starve the Strip, but there's no reason that, with a year's warning, we can't tell them to find other sources as we are delimiting our responsibilities," he said.
The defense minister added that Israel was nearing a decision on whether to respond with live artillery on areas from which rockets were fired, after warning the Palestinian side.
Barak also referred to the issue of Israel's kidnapped soldier. "The ceasefire does no harm to the steps taken towards Gilad Shalit's return, but rather supports them," he said. "The price for Shalit's release will be heavy, and many difficult decisions will be required, but we must do everything possible to get him home – and we will."
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