Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in a Monday morning radio interview stated that if Israel is compelled to return to Gaza due to Hamas threats, it will do so, without any hesitation whatsoever. Livni explained that the changing of the American administration does not play a role in this reality, rejecting any attempt to tie Israel’s unilateral ceasefire declaration with Tuesday’s scheduled swearing-in of America’s 44th president, Barak Obama.

The foreign minister stated Israeli forces will return to the Philadelphi Route or operate aerially if need be, and the fact that Egypt or any other country will play a role in maintaining the ceasefire and preventing future weapons smuggling into Gaza will not deter Israel from moving in if the situations demands.

Livni is pleased with the military progress made during Operation Cast Lead, stating the IDF has shown Hamas and Israel’s enemies that there are lines which may not be crossed and Israel’s response has indeed created new realities in Gaza.

Regarding the term “unilateral ceasefire,” Livni explained “When we decide to launch a military operation we do so unilaterally, and the same way, we decide to end the operation, we decide unilaterally, without consulting with others.”

Livni stressed that despite her traveling to the United States to meet with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, her views were presented to the cabinet prior to her departure and she maintained a close contact while in America, adding she even requested a number of changes be made in the ceasefire declaration.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)