"Naturally, there are considerations and facts that I cannot reveal to the =

public; these are complicated considerations that include, at the same time=
, =

many fronts and arenas in Israel and around the world."

PM Netanyahu's remarks at the special Cabinet meeting
We chose to commence this operation after we had exhausted the other =

possibilities, and with the understanding that without action, the price =

that we would pay would be much greater.
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Friday, 18 July 2014), made the =

following remarks at the start of the special Cabinet meeting:

"This is the tenth day that Israel's cities have been under terrorist =

attack. The IDF is operating against Hamas and the other terrorist =

organizations in the Gaza Strip from the sea and air, and now on land as =

well. Last night, our forces commenced a ground operation in order to strik=
e =

at the terrorist tunnels that run from the Gaza Strip into Israeli =

territory. I remind you that it was through such a tunnel that Hamas =

terrorists infiltrated into our territory yesterday morning in order to =

perpetrate a large scale attack against Israel's citizens. The IDF =

successfully thwarted this terrorist act.

Because it is not possible to deal with the tunnels only from the air, our =

soldiers are now doing so on the ground. Even here there is no guarantee of =

100% success, but we are doing our utmost in order to achieve the maximum. =

To our sorrow, a soldier has already fallen and =96 on behalf of all the =

ministers =96 I send condolences to his family. I am certain that I speak o=
n =

behalf of all Israelis.

My instructions, and those of the Defense Minister, to the IDF, with the =

approval of the Security Cabinet, are to be ready for the possibility of a =

significant expansion of the ground operation, and the Chief-of-Staff and =

the IDF have prepared accordingly. Last night's operation came after Israel =

agreed to the Egyptian ceasefire proposal and to the UN initiative for a =

humanitarian truce. In both cases, Hamas continued firing. We chose to =

commence this operation after we had exhausted the other possibilities, and =

with the understanding that without action, the price that we would pay =

would be much greater.

Even before we embarked on Operation Protective Edge, I spoke with major =

world leaders. I explained to them the impossible situation the State of =

Israel was facing and our need to defend our people. Since then, through =

constant, methodical diplomatic and media activity, we have been creating =

the international space =96 which is not self-evident =96 so that we can ta=
ke =

systematic and strong action against this murderous terrorist organization =

and its terrorist partners. Naturally, there are considerations and facts =

that I cannot reveal to the public; these are complicated considerations =

that include, at the same time, many fronts and arenas in Israel and around =

the world. However, the supreme consideration that guides us is to restore =

the security to Israel's citizens and to restore quiet to the country.

The IDF is a moral military without peer; it does not aspire to harm any =

innocent person. We are operating only against terrorist targets and we =

regret any inadvertent civilian casualties. It is the terrorist =

organizations =96 which attack our cities and our civilians and use their =

civilians are human shields =96 that bear the responsibility for casualties =

among non-combatants.

Now I know that in such campaigns, global public opinion always receives a =

distorted picture of the campaign. This is unavoidable. But, unlike in the =

past, this time there are many in the international community who understan=
d =

that it is Hamas =96 and Hamas alone =96 that is responsible for the victim=
s. =

This is important for the State of Israel.

I would like to appeal to you, citizens of Israel. A terrorist war has been =

forced upon the state and this time as well, we will meet the challenge. =

Your steadfast fortitude gives us the ability and the time to take strong =

action against our enemies, and we are all proud of you. And again, I must =

ask that you strictly follow the instructions of IDF Home Front Command. I =

think that, today, it is hardly necessary to say how important this is, and =

I know that you understand this.

I have met with the commanders who are leading the IDF operation, uncommonl=
y =

brave, determined and motivated commanders, with strong values. I am =

impressed by the motivation of our soldiers, both conscripts and reservists=
, =

and their desire to take part in the campaign. They understand that their =

mission is to defend Israel's citizens. Our fighters all know that they are =

fighting for the most just of goals =96 the defense of our shared home. At =

this time, we are all united behind the soldiers and commanders of the IDF. =

And I know that I speak for all of us as we support them in their mission =

and pray for their welfare.

________________________________________
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