Herzog praises tunnel finds, says ceasefire close

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog says cross-border tunnels dug by Hamas were built to carry out “terror attacks of unimaginable dimensions” and their destruction “removes the threat over tens of thousands of Israeli citizens.”

Twenty-three such tunnels have been uncovered by IDF troops operating in the Gaza Strip over the past few days.

Herzog tells Channel 10 that Israel should dictate the terms of a ceasefire with Hamas, adding that he believes a truce is close at hand in light of the intense international efforts to restore quiet.

“We will need to demilitarize Gaza and then help Abu Mazen rebuild it,” Herzog adds, referring to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

The Labor party head says he is in regular contact with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and calls the government’s conduct in Operation Protective Edge so far “reasonable, sound.”