Gaza's real problem is not a humanitarian crisis but the fact that Hamas continues to build weapons arsenals there, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Monday during a meeting with his Independence faction.
Commenting on a flotilla scheduled to set sail for Gaza in the coming days, Barak called the plan an "unnecessary provocation," and stressed that "there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza."
RELATED:Government reviews warning to Gaza flotilla reportersNavy readies to prevent flotilla from reaching GazaUS issues stern warning to Gaza flotilla activists"The real problem in Gaza is that [Hamas] continues to hold [captured IDF soldier] Gilad Schalit and to build up weapons arsenals," he said.
Emphasizing that there was no problem in getting humanitarian supplies to the Strip, the defense minister said "We asked the organizers to stop the provocation.
"I ordered the IDF to block the ships," he said. "If there is a conflict or damage, it will be the responsibility of the flotilla organizers."
Barak's comments come after the security cabinet on Monday
approved a Navy plan to prevent the upcoming flotilla from approaching Gaza's shores and giving the IDF authority to prevent the ships' arrival by any means necessary while trying to avoid casualties.
During the Independence faction meeting, Barak
also commented on efforts to release Gilad Schalit, saying, "We are
doing everything possibile to get him free."
On the Iran's plan to hold a large-scale military drill
and
test long-range missiles,
Barak said, "The Iranians have missiles that can reach far. They are
continuing to develop abilities to attack. We are following the drill
and its influence."
JPost.com staff contributed to this report.