Israel may retake Gaza — Lapid

Just before the security cabinet begins its meeting in Jerusalem, Finance Minister Yair Lapid says ministers may decide to retake the Gaza Strip in order to completely root out the terrorist threat there, destroy its infrastructure and prevent kidnapping attempts.

“We won’t stand aside and watch Israeli citizens being hurt and tunnels being dug to kibbutzim, to children’s houses or dining rooms,” he tells Channel 2.

Lapid stresses that it is Israel, not Hamas, that is deciding the pace of the fighting in Gaza.

“We are targeting the heads of Hamas as well. The heads of Hamas would do well to know that even their tunnels won’t save them,” he says.

Asked whether Israel distinguishes between the military and political leadership of Hamas, Lapid says there is “no difference” between “the political and military wings of a terrorist organization.”