Gantz says Israel will keep hitting Gaza to ‘restore quiet’

Defense Minister Benny Gantz says Israel plans to conduct a series of strikes against Hamas and other terror groups in the Gaza Strip in order to “restore long-term and complete quiet” in response to ongoing rocket attacks from the enclave.
In a video statement, Gantz blames Hamas for the violence and denies the terror group’s claims that Israel has harassed worshipers on the Temple Mount.

“I would like to emphasize that the State of Israel has done everything and will do everything to protect freedom of worship. Hamas, which is targeting a civilian population, is the sole party responsible,” Gantz says.

The defense minister threatens the terror group’s leadership and says the military will continue conducting strikes until it has fulfilled its mission.

“Over the past few weeks, the security cabinet has been convening, and we have held a series of consultations and situational assessments, on the basis of which we authorized today a number of offensive strikes that will hit Hamas and other terrorist organizations hard. These are strikes that will ensure Israel’s security and restore long-term and complete quiet,” Gantz says.

“The organization and its leaders will be held responsible and pay the price for the aggression. And the offensive strikes are expected to continue until we meet the operative goals that we have set,” he says.