The cabinet has authorized the prime minister and defense minister to approve military action against Hamas if rocket launches continue in the south. • However, Israel is not interested in escalation
Tensions in the south:
The political-security cabinet this evening (Monday) authorized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Bnei Gantz to approve military action against Hamas if rocket fire into Israel resumes.
According to the decision, Israel's response will be "powerful."
However, it seems that the move is mainly intended to broadcast a threatening message to Hamas, since Israel is not interested in degenerating into a round of fighting against the organization.
Documentation: Launch from the Gaza Strip towards the Negev Gate // Photo: Dedi Fuld
As you may recall, in recent days, terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip have fired dozens of rockets at communities in the Gaza Strip.
Most of the rockets landed in open areas or in the Gaza Strip and the rest were intercepted.
However, yesterday four people, including a pregnant woman, were lightly injured while running to protected areas.
To date, Israel has not responded to most of the attacks, making it clear that the IDF is preparing a list of targets and will respond to events according to its decision. However, the fishing zone in the Gaza Strip has been closed until further notice.
Meanwhile, indirect contacts led by senior Egyptian intelligence officials, as well as UN diplomats, continue in an attempt to reduce tensions between Israel and Hamas and halt the escalation following the violent events in Jerusalem and rocket launches from Gaza to the enveloping communities over the weekend.
The Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar learned from its Hamas sources that contacts between the terrorist organization and Israel had taken place in the past two days through the mediators.
However, Hamas has rejected any lull as long as Israel's policy in Jerusalem continues, and is interested in "preventing any invasion by settlers into the al-Aqsa Mosque, and halting Jewish programs in the city and allowing Palestinian elections in the eastern part of the capital."
