Defense Minister Benny Gantz speaks to local leaders in southern Israel amid continued arson attacks and rocket fire from the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
According to a statement from his office, Gantz says “we’ve changed the equation” in Gaza since he took over as defense chief.
“There are no security violations that don’t receive [a response]. We don’t just know how to strike buildings and targets, but also those operating within them,” he warns.
“The State of Israel has no interest in the Gaza Strip besides the return of the boys and complete quiet,” he adds, referring to the two Israeli citizens and the remains of two IDF soldiers being held in the Strip.
Gantz says if these conditions are met, “we can develop Gaza.”
His comments come as the Ynet news site says there have so far been 14 fires in the south today sparked by balloon-borne incendiary devices launched from Gaza.
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From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
