Minister Barak
Photo: Ariel Hermoni, Defense ministry
Barak: Israel very close to achieving Gaza op's objectives
Ceasefire closer than ever? Defense minister says Israel close to securing Gaza op's goals
Hours before the cabinet was scheduled to discuss a possible ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that Israel is close to achieving its goals in the military campaign.
"After three weeks, we are very close to securing the objectives and complementing them with diplomatic agreements," Barak said while visiting IDF paratroopers. He added, however, that troops must "continue their operational activity and be ready for any possible development."
The defense minister was briefed on the activity of forces in the Strip and said that security forces are "carrying out the missions in an impressive manner in order to bring about a different reality here in the south."
Earlier Saturdays, four IDF paratroopers sustained serous wounds during exchanges of fire with Palestinian gunmen. The IDF is looking into the possibility that the troops were hurt by friendly fire, but no firm conclusions have been established yet.
The paratroopers have been operating on the outskirts of Gaza City for several days now, and in fact went deeper into the Strip than any other IDF unit. Meanwhile, the Air Force attacked more than 50 targets overnight, including 15 tunnels on the Philadelphi Route and eight rocket launching sites.
