VIDEO - MK Shai Hermesh (Kadima), who resides in the southern town of Kfar Aza, told Ynet that "they can't hold us hostage for Gilad Shalit." Hermesh was referring to the rockets and mortar shells that have plagued the town and its area recently.
The southern towns of Israel were attacked
throughout Saturday as dozens of rockets and mortar shells were fired from Gaza, causing damage to two structures in a kibbutz in the Shaar HaNegev Regional Council. No injuries were reported.
According to Hermesh, the residents of Kfar Aza "are caught in an elections system trap. We are being abandoned in favor of ballot box votes." He blamed Defense Minister Ehud Barak,
claiming he was thwarting a possible military operation in Gaza.
"The prime minister (Ehud Olmert) can't embark on a military operation without Barak's support," he said. "The number one security man has let us down. Since he signed this ceasefire agreement from a point of inferiority he has been surrendering to them."
Video: Reuters
Referring to kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit he said, "Barak is dragging his feet towards a ceasefire agreement with the excuse that Shalit can't be endangered. We conceded our security for Gilad and we were willing to suffer, but 180 days after the agreement was signed there is no Shalit and there are mortars. We can't be held hostage for Shalit."
Hermesh said Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was willing to embark on a military operation in Gaza. "The solution to this problem is to raise the price tag," he said. "Right now everything is allowed because there is no price tag."
He warned against abandoning the residents of the south, as was done to Sderot, in his opinion. "The reality of the security situation is slowly eroding the strength of the Gaza vicinity residents. We are getting close to a situation in which citizens will not be able to live here."
He added that "the government is politically paralyzed by the elections. Only a fatal incident will cause a military operation in Gaza."
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