Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Tuesday, 8 July 2014), has
issued the following statement:

"In recent days, Hamas terrorists have fired hundreds of rockets at Israel's
civilians. No other country lives under such a threat, and no country would
accept such a threat.

Israel will not tolerate the firing of rockets on our cities and towns.

We have therefore significantly expanded our operations against Hamas and
the other terrorist organizations in Gaza.

This comes after our repeated efforts to restore calm were met with
increased Hamas rocket fire.

Israel is not eager for war, but the security of our citizens is our primary
consideration.

Israel targets Hamas terrorists and not innocent civilians. By contrast,
Hamas targets Israeli civilians while hiding behind Palestinian civilians.
Hamas, therefore, bears full responsibility for any harm that comes to
Israeli and Palestinian civilians alike.

We are determined to give our citizens the safety and security they
deserve."
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