Political-security Cabinet Member Minister Ze'ev Elkin of the Likud claimed on Channel 12 News that Israel has achieved its goal in the current round of fighting.
"Our mission in this round has been achieved: One of the top terrorists in the Gaza Strip, Baha'u Abu Alta who was responsible for firing at us for a long time and destroyed attempts to calm the Gaza Strip, is no longer with us," Elkin said, adding that Israeli deterrence was restored following his elimination. "Every time we tried to calm the southern sector, Al-Atta tried to ignite it as a matter of principle."