Members of the Security Cabinet convened on Wednesday to address the continued deterioration of the situation in Gaza.

Public Security Minister Avi Dichter explained that Hamas must be brought to the negotiating table by deterrence, to compel the terrorists to realize a truce is in their interest. He explained that only then can a deal be made, a deal which must include the release of IDF Corporal Gilad Shalit.

Other ministers expressed their concerns that agreeing to the Egyptian ceasefire proposal will do nothing more than permit Hamas a period to calmly regroup and restock, as was the case during the last hiatus in the fighting.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)