Following are Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s remarks at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting today:

“We are saddened that, over the weekend, the terrorist organizations continued their murderous attacks, this time claiming a victim in Kfar Aza, Jimmy Kedoshim.� Over the weekend, I heard about Jimmy from his friends and acquaintances in Kfar Aza.� His story, like those of the other victims of this murderous, Gaza Strip-based terrorism, is heartbreaking.� Let it be clear that he Government of Israel views Hamas as responsible for all that happens, vis-�-vis terrorism from the Gaza Strip.� We do not check the organizations’ tiny details.� The dominant, controlling element in the Gaza Strip is Hamas.� It is responsible and it will have to bear the consequences and full responsibility for this activity.� We do not intend to countenance this; we have said so time and again.� The reality that prevails today must change.� Either there is quiet or the State of Israel will take the steps that it must in order to ensure quiet.� This will not end in a day or a week.� We never promised this; we cannot promise this.� But I promise one thing: Either there is quiet or the State of Israel will take strong action that will � in the end � bring quiet.

Regarding events in Lebanon, I do not think that I must go into detail except that the State of Israel is naturally monitoring events there.

This week, US President George Bush will make his second visit to Israel within a few months in order to express his participation � and that of the American people � in our celebrations marking the State of Israel’s 60th Independence Day.� Naturally, when the US President visits, we will deal not only with celebrations but with substantive, strategic issues, vis-�-vis the future of the State of Israel.� These issues will certainly be an inseparable part of his visit here.