(Ynet News) Ron Ben-Yishai - A few days of patience may make it clear to Hamas that continued rocket fire into Israel will cause more damage to its position in the negotiations than improve it. Senior Israeli officials clarify that if the IDF detects the slightest possibility that Israel is being dragged into a war of attrition, it will not hesitate to enter Gaza to complete the disarming of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. In the current stage, the goal is to reach a stable cease-fire, and to meet the basic needs of 250,000 people with no roof over their heads and no clean drinking water. Yet Hamas is presenting exaggerated demands, betting that global public opinion will allow aid to be brought in, and then the Egyptians will give in as well. Hamas is gambling again, holding the civilian population hostage. Israel is seeking to demilitarize Gaza of weapons and military infrastructure under international supervision in return for a large aid package to rebuild the Strip. Demilitarization includes removing rockets and launching pads, destroying launchers, and removing 160- and 120-mm. mortar shells. At the same time, manufacturing will be supervised and the excavation of tunnels will be thwarted.
2014-08-11 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive