Netanyahu: Operation against Gaza will not finish until we achieve our goals

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday evening that the Israeli army would not end the military aggression waged on the Gaza Strip, which Israel has dubbed as “Operation Protective Edge”, before achieving Israel’s goals, Anadolu news agency reported.

Netanyahu’s remarks came during a meeting with the heads of local councils in the southern settlements in Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip, according to a press statement issued by his office.

Meanwhile, thousands of Israelis protested against the ceasefire on Thursday evening in Tel Aviv, demanding the government to finish its campaign in the Gaza Strip.

Anadolu quoted Netanyahu as saying that: “The Israeli army launched ‘Operation Protective Edge’ after Hamas resumed its rocket fire on southern towns. Our policy is clear and consistent: we respond forcefully to the rocket fire and started this military operation in order to enhance the security of citizens in general and especially your security,” before adding: “We will not finish ‘Operation Protective Edge’ before we achieve our goals: to restore calm and security to Israeli citizens for an extended period by leaving significant damage to the infrastructure of terrorism.”

He continued: “The Israeli army responded strongly last weekend and hit more than 160 goals in all parts of the Gaza Strip in response to mortar fire on our towns.”

The prime minister then explained that the Israeli army completed the destruction of the tunnels system, which Hamas used to launch attacks on southern towns.

He concluded by saying: “Since the first day of the operation, I designated my office manager Harel Locker to make sure that your needs are met during the course of the military operation, instead of waiting until the end.”

For his part, head of Shaar Hanegev regional council Alon Schuster said: “I also feel that a change has occurred this summer and we stand in one row, which is clear for all citizens and the government, and we will not go back to the reality that prevailed here for 13 years.”

He warned that, “if the Palestinian factions in Gaza do not agree to this change, a big war will break out here and then the situation will improve.”

The Palestinian chief negotiator, Azzam Al-Ahmad, announced on Thursday that the Palestinian and Israeli sides had agreed to extend the ceasefire in Gaza, previously scheduled to expire on Wednesday at midnight, for an additional five days to continue their indirect talks in Cairo.