Amid reports that over 50 rockets have been launched against southern Israel from Gaza since the start of Operation Brothers Return, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman feels the time has come to retake Hamas-occupied Gaza. Lieberman stated that to date there have been limited counter-terrorism offensives and the result is a stronger more threatening Hamas. Therefore he feels there is only one alternative.

Reports earlier Sunday morning 2 Rosh Chodesh Tammuz stated that at least 30 rockets have been fired at Israel from Gaza since the start of Operation Brothers Return, but the IDF Spokesman later in the morning updated that number to 50 rockets, adding “12 rockets hit Israel this weekend”.

Lieberman on Sunday morning calls on the prime minister to consider retaking Gaza in response to escalating rocket fire once again. Speaking with Galei Tzahal (Army Radio), the senior minister stated “We must look at the alternative, retaking Gaza entirely”.

“We have seen that limited operation strengthen Hamas and therefore the alternative is clear. There is no intermediate scenario”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)