Source:Middle East Monitor
It is only a matter of time before Israel launches a new offensive against the Gaza Strip, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said yesterday.
The Jerusalem Post reported Lieberman saying: “The question of the next round of fighting is not ‘whether’ but ‘when.’ I am sure we will do what is needed.”
The senior Israeli official met with the Chief of Staff of the Israeli Occupation Army Gadi Eisenkot, the head of the Southern Command Herzi Halevi, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Kamil Abu Rokon and representatives from Shin Bet.
“Since the start of the ‘March of Return,’ Hamas has claimed 168 dead, another 4,348 wounded and dozens of terror infrastructures destroyed,” Lieberman said.
“We are conducting a responsible and powerful security policy.”
He explained: “Responsible security policy is not an answer-not to online commenters, not newspaper headlines or public opinion. We are prepared and know what to do and how to do it.”
Last week Israeli jets pounded Gaza with more than 150 air strikes that killed a pregnant mother and her 18-month-old daughter and destroyed a cultural centre.