Mofaz: IDF should destroy Hamas infrastructure in Gaza

Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense C'tee tours southern communities affected by rocket fire; Plesner: Attrition would be victory for Hamas.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Mofaz (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Mofaz
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Shaul Mofaz called for the IDF to intensify its response to Hamas over the ongoing rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.
Mofaz made the statements in Ashdod during a tour of southern communities affected in recent days by rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. Some 100 rockets have been fired into Israeli territory, killing one person and injuring dozens.
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The IDF, the Kadima MK said, should destroy Hamas's infrastructure in Gaza in order to make clear to Hamas that Israel won't hold back when faced with attacks on its citizens. Israel should also target the Hamas leadership, he added, Israel Radio reported.
Addressing the recent diplomatic crisis with Egypt, Mofaz added that Israel must maintain strong relations with its southern neighbor. Strong ties with Cairo, he said, will help stop terror emanating from the Sinai Peninsula.
MK Yohanan Plesner (Kadima), on the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee tour of the South, said that "the committee supports all of the government's efforts to improve its deterrence of Hamas and [other] terrorist organizations."
"The creation of a permanent situation of attrition in the South," he said, "would be a great victory for Hamas and the terrorist organizations and the State of Israel cannot accept such a situation."
Earlier Sunday, MK Amir Peretz (Labor) held Hamas responsible for the escalation of violence in the South, saying that it was Hamas's role as the ruler of the Gaza Strip "to not only avoid carrying out attacks, but rather to prevent attacks."
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Peretz, a former defense minister, said in an interview with Israel Radio that Israel's government must act with proper policy so that a large-scale operation similar to Operation Cast Lead will not be necessary in Gaza.
"A large-scale operation in Gaza should come about as a strategic decision, not as a  reaction to events," Peretz stated.
The Labor MK added that preserving the peace agreement with Egypt must be on the top of Israel's list of priorities.
MK Yonathan Plesner (Kadima), on the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee tour of the South, said that "the committee supports all of the government's efforts to improve its deterrence of Hamas and [other] terrorist organizations."
"The creation of a permanent situation of attrition in the South," he said, "would be a great victory for Hamas and the terrorist organizations and the State of Israel cannot accept such a situation."