Defense Minister Ehud Barak met with mayors of Gaza belt communities on Wednesday afternoon in the kibbutz (cooperative community) of Nahal Oz. Barak assured those present that Israel will strive to continue its temporary ceasefire with Hamas despite a foiled kidnapping plot and massive rocket fire on the Negev on Wednesday morning. “We have no intention of disturbing the peace,” Barak said.
Although Israel desires quiet on the Gaza front, the IDF will act against any immediate threats, he said. For that reason, soldiers had entered Gaza early on Wednesday morning despite the ceasefire, he explained. “It was a pinpoint special forces operation,” he said, “meant to foil the creation of a tunnel that was apparently going to be used to kidnap soldiers or carry out a terrorist attack.”
Following the IDF operation, Gaza terrorists fired dozens of rockets and mortar shells at Gaza belt communities. The attacks caused damage and hysteria, but no injuries.
Shortly after the meeting terrorists fired another rocket at the western Negev. The rocket landed between Sderot and a nearby kibbutz and failed to cause injury.
Mayors ask for protection
Mayors asked Barak to continue efforts to fortify buildings in their communities. The fortification provides residents with a feeling of security, they said.
Barak has requested NIS 500 million to fortify Gaza belt buildings on top of his ministry's current budget of NIS 50 billion. Finance Minister Ronnie Bar-On has sharply criticized the request, saying the funding at Barak's disposal should suffice to stop rocket fire on Gaza belt towns altogether.
Opposition MKs call for action
Opposition MKs responded to the terrorist rocket attacks Wednesday by criticizing the government and calling for an immediate response. MK Yisrael Katz (Likud) said the attacks proved Israel's ceasefire with Hamas is a “dangerous illusion.” Israel must respond immediately in order to prevent future rocket attacks, he said.
MK Avigdor Lieberman (Israel is Our Home) said, “The latest events in the south prove that the ceasefire serves the interests of Hamas only.” He called on Barak to “reach conclusions immediately and step down.”
MK Gideon Saar (Likud) said the attacks were proof that the 2005 Disengagement plan had been a failure. “Continued use of the Kadima strategy of one-sided withdrawals will strengthen terrorists and bring rockets to every city in Israel,” he said.