Defense Minister Ehud Barak made the following comments after the situation analysis held Tuesday morning with the Gaza Division in the south of Israel:

“The event is not yet over. We are here with Gaza Division Commander [Brig.-Gen.] Mickey [Edelstein]; Commander of the Southern Command [Maj.-Gen.] Tal (Russo); and Deputy Chief of Staff [Maj.-Gen.] Yair [Naveh]. We have heard our officers and the correct, professional, methodical actions are being taken.

�Hamas and the other terrorist organizations are suffering as a result of intense strikes [by the IDF] in Gaza. But it is certainly not over and we will decide how and when to act if necessary. I do not want to address either timing or means [of operation]; it would not be right to provide this information to the other side.

�We do not intend to allow � in any shape or form � the continued harming of the day to day life of our citizens. And we intend to reinforce the deterrence � and strengthen it � so that we are able to operate along the length of the border fence in a way that will ensure the security of all our soldiers who are serving around Gaza.

�As far as we are concerned, Hamas is responsible for what is happening in Gaza. Even when other organizations are carrying out [certain attacks], Hamas are not free from responsibility.”

Question:

“Minister of Defense, residents of the south feel that there has not been a sufficient response from the IDF?”

DM Barak:

I want to specifically commend the locally elected officials and citizens of the region on their resilience and ability to act [as if all were normal], even when it is obvious that there is no ‘quick fix’ solution; at least not with a ‘single stroke of the sword’. These things require an attitude of grit and endurance, and this is exactly what the residents are displaying.

I think that the relationship between the IDF and the residents is excellent. There is no need to expand at this time� it is preferable to do � to act � timely; rather than just talk before [the action].”

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)