Barak orders IDF to respond speedily to Negev attack

Defense minister says he holds Hamas responsible for all events emanating from Gaza; PM in Germany: Israel won't tolerate terrorism.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, REUTERS
Barak speech serious 311 (photo credit: REUTERS/Charles Dharapak/Pool )
Barak speech serious 311
(photo credit: REUTERS/Charles Dharapak/Pool )
Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Thursday order the IDF to respond speedily and with every means necessary to the attack on a bus in the Negev on Thursday afternoon which left two Israelis injured.
Shortly after the statement was issued, an IAF helicopter machine-gunned targets in the Strip, for the first time since Operation Cast Lead.
In a statement, Barak added that he holds Hamas as responsible for all events and attacks emanating from the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was briefed on the attack during his state visit to Berlin with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
He said that Israel would not tolerate attacks from terrorist organizations, Israel Radio reported.
Palestinian terrorists in the Strip fired an anti-tank missile which landed near a school bus outside Kibbutz Saad in the Negev. Magen David Adom paramedics were attempting to revive a 16-year-old boy who was on the bus, and the bus driver was also seriously injured.
Additional mortars were fired at the area. Residents have been instructed to stay inside buildings.