Peretz blocks IDF plan for broad offensive in Gaza

Defense Minister Amir Peretz on Sunday blocked an Israel Defense Forces proposal to step up its offensive on the Gaza Strip in response to the recent barrage of Qassam rockets fired onto Israeli territory.

Palestinian militants in Gaza fired over 20 Qassam rockets at the western Negev on Sunday, wounding two Israelis in the hard-hit Negev town of Sderot. More than 20 other rockets were fired at Israel over the weekend.

Peretz struck down a proposal for widening attacks on Gaza during a meeting with senior IDF and Shin Bet officials Sunday, saying it would be sufficient to stick to targeted attacks on Qassam launching sites. He said, however, that if the barrage of rockets continued, the responses would become harsher.

Peretz advised the IDF to hold off on its recommendation to personally target Hamas political figures, but warned that nobody involved in terror attacks would be guaranteed safety, including Hamas.


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