Hamas terrorists
Hamas terroristsEmad Nassar/Flash 90

The Hamas terror cell responsible for the murders of Rabbi Eitam and Naama Henkin last Thursday night had planned to carry out more murders, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon stated Monday night. 

"I want to commend the IDF, the Israel Security Agency and Border Police, for their quick detective work and on capturing the suspected Hamas terror cell responsible for Rabbi Eitam and Naama Henkin of blessed memory, as well as two other shooting incidents, one at the Jit junction," Yaalon said. "Their neutralization is an important achievement." 

Ya'alon said that Hamas is trying non-stop to carry out various terrorist attacks.

"Most of the direction, funding and guidance come, in general, from [Hamas's] headquarters in Gaza, and through Salah Aruri, who manages the organization's terrorist activity from his residence in Istanbul," Ya'alon stated. "The free world should not allow this to be swept under the rug." 

"The fight against terrorism requires us to be determined, to proceed without compromise, and with patience, wisdom and judgment," he continued. "We have no intention to allow terrorist elements to disrupt our lives."

"We are struggling against bloodthirsty and ruthless terrorist organizations, - and the fight against them, as well as reality itself on the ground, is complex and requires us to be patient. "

Ya'alon then shifted topics, criticizing Jewish Home ministers for urging the State of Israel to act more decisively to finally stop the waves of terror in Judea and Samaria. 

"I call on some of the ministers, Knesset members and elected officials to settle in Judea and Samaria, to stop their behavior and irresponsible statements against IDF commanders and soldiers and the struggle of the Israeli government," he fired. "This is behavior which is not appropriate for elected officials, behavior that feeds and fuels civilians to lose all restraint and take the law into their own hands."