Meretz-Hatnua Hahadasha issues rare call for IDF action in Gaza

The leftist Meretz-Hatnua Hahadasha party on Thursday issued a rare call for IDF military action, saying that such an operation was necessary to protect the lives of Israeli citizens. "The time has to act without compromise and without narrow political considerations, to protect the citizens of the Gaza periphery and Sderot," the statement said. "There is no choice but to hit Hamas in a precise way and to act for a renewed ceasefire," the party said. Over 80 rockets and mortar shells have been fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip since Wednesday morning.