Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Hamas leaders are ‘legitimate target’ — PM
In response to a question about the strike on Mohammad Deif’s home, Netanyahu says: “The commanders of terror organizations are a legitimate target, of the highest priority… No one is immune.”
He refuses to elaborate.
Asked about the military long-term goals, Netanyahu says: “Who says we gave up on the option of toppling Hamas?”
He says there are lots of options and lots of considerations. When considering how to handle Gaza, he says, one has to consider “who would take control of the territory?”
He says he doesn’t know if the goal of long-term calm can be reached via a diplomatic arrangement. “I don’t recommend giving up on that option” of a more dramatic military offensive against Hamas.
