Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked on Thursday morning, 28 Menachem Av, told Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) that the chance of reaching a real agreement with Hamas is slim to none.

“We may not permit Hamas to run our lives. We will not accept any agreement that does not include the demilitarization of Gaza or the cessation of the intensification because the chances of Hamas agreeing to this is extremely low, and I believe the chances of achieving regulation are also quite low.”

She added, “We must rehabilitate Israel’s deterrence vis-à-vis Hamas, for the new reality that has recently emerged proves Israel’s deterrence has been compromised and we must recognize this and not bury our heads in the sand”.

Hamas spokesman Abd al-Latif Kanua said: “The Palestinian resistance is in a state of self-defense and fulfills its duty to respond to Israeli aggression against its people, and Israel will bear responsibility for the consequences and pay the bill for its crimes.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)