There is no agreement yet in the Diplomacy and Security Cabinet regarding the idea of taking crushing and aggressive action against Hamas, because Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Finance Minister Yair Lapid oppose such a move.
Arutz Sheva has learned that in the course of the debate on the matter in the Cabinet on Monday, an argument took place between the participants, regarding the proper response and construction in Judea and Samaria. Minister Naftali Bennett and Communications Minister Gilad Erdan called for a harsh response, but other ministers opposed it.
Erdan proposed that Israeli construction plans be announced as a response to the murders, both in Hevron, near the site of the three teens' murder, and in the Etzion Bloc, where they went to school.
Bennett presented the government with several plans for action in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, aimed for defeating the growing terrorist force in these areas. Lapid and Livni attacked Bennett in the Cabinet, however, and told Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that his plan could plunge Israel into escalation, which will end in a way that no one can foresee. Hatnua's Livni and Yesh Atid's Lapid are considered to be the most left-leaning of the ministers.
Lapid and Livni asked for a more "measured" action, similar to the operations that were carried out in the last two weeks, against Hamas's infrastructure in Judea and Samaria, accompanied by attacks on targets on Gaza in response to rocket fire from there.
Yaalon also voiced concern that a large scale action would lead to war.
Livni called on Netanyahu to “take a breath” and respond from the head, not the gut. Minister of Public Security Yitzchak Aharonovich expressed concern, of all things, about a possible “price tag” revenge action by Jews in response to the murders.
The Prime Minister listened to the ministers but has not reached a decision.