During a visit to soldiers in the IDF Gaza Division following a rocket attack on border communities the previous day, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Defense Minister Benny Gantz said on Tuesday Israel will carry out operations on its own terms.
"We will operate at a time, place and conditions that suit us, and not anyone else," Gantz said.
The prime minister said Hamas is ultimately responsible for any rocket fire out of Gaza, "not rebels and not anyone else — just Hamas."
He said the purpose of his visit is "to see that the IDF, the Southern Command and the Gaza Division are prepared — and they are indeed properly prepared. Our mission is to provide long-term security for the residents of the south and the residents of the Gaza Strip."