A series of senior officials in Israel made it clear yesterday that the
response to the renewal .of rocket fire would be fierce. However, the IDF
did not respond at all to the shooting this morning. A senior diplomatic source
claimed last night that Israel is not underestimating the threats of Hamas,
adding that this is mainly due to the plight of the organization with Egypt, as
they are trying to bring about that Abu-Mazen will control the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Netanyahu was
interviewed by the American Fox network last night and referred to the
possibility that the ceasefire may not be extended. “I’m not sure the battle is
over. I think we hit their capabilities significantly. I believe we have
destroyed all the tunnels that we know of,” Netanyahu emphasized. “There may be
tunnels that we don’t know of, that they have built over the years. And I think
that they should take into account the possibility that if they continue we
will continue to respond.
Home Front Command, this
morning, ordered residents in southern areas to stay near protected spaces -
after it was already declared that the country was to return to normal. Last
night the Home Front Command spoke with mayors and councils and prepared them
for this possibility. Simultaneously, the Defense Ministry decided to extend
the special situation in the communities around up to 40 miles from the Gaza
Strip until Sunday. This decision of course has economic significance. Simultaneously, Ashdod
Municipality announced the cancellation of all the activities that were
scheduled for public areas - parks and beaches. Home Front Command instructed
the mayor of Rishon Lezion to open the shelters.
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