"We knew that the military action will be complicated; we knew it would be difficult; we knew that there would be a price, and we paid the price last night," Defense Minister Ehud Barak said during a tour of the Osem factory in Sderot Tuesday morning.
"It is a bitter battle, but inevitable. A country that holds life dear cannot allow a terror organization to embitter the lives of its citizens.
"We have gone to battle in order to change the reality of life in the south of the country, to bring peace and quiet to the residents of this region, and to prevent weapons smuggling into Gaza," added Barak.
The defense minister told Ynet, "I say to the IDF units and the soldier's families – my heart is with you today. You should know that this war was forced upon us, but we are united and will eventually come out on top."