Barak says Tel Aviv threatened by long-range Gazan rockets
Terrorists in the Strip can hit targets 70 kilometers away, defense minister tells Knesset committee
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Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Monday that Gazan terrorists now have the capability of hitting Tel Aviv and its northern environs, and that Jerusalem is concerned over Hezbollah receiving advanced weapons from Syria.
Barak made the statements during a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
The defense minister said Gazan terrorists had rockets that could fire 70 kilometers, putting Herzliya, north of Tel Aviv, within range.
In the past, Gazan rockets have reached as far north as Ashdod, about 20 kilometers south of Tel Aviv.
Barak also addressed the threat from the north, saying Lebanese-based Islamists Hezbollah were working to keep Syrian President Bashar Assad in power, and could receive advanced weapons from the teetering regime.
“We follow with concern the possibility of a trickling of advanced weapons from Syria to Hezbollah,” Barak said.
He added that the Muslim Brotherhood’s victory in Egypt may give Hamas a boost in the West Bank, and said it was of utmost importance for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to return to the negotiating table .
“Further quiet should not be taken for granted. Political deadlock does not serve Israel’s interests,” the defense minister said. He added Israel has a responsibility to lead the parties to the negotiation table.
The Times of Israel Community.