In the wake of renewed Hamas rocket fire from the Gaza Strip into Israel on Tuesday, which prompted the collapse of ceasefire negotiations, a range of Israeli leaders from across the political spectrum resigned themselves to the need to deploy greater force.
With a 24-hour truce extension still in place, around 50 rockets were fired at southern and central Israel between 4pm and midnight, bringing an end to attempts in Cairo to broker a long-term ceasefire.
During the past week, several prominent Israeli leaders have mulled a range of lasting solutions for Gaza without Hamas at the helm.
Finance Minister and Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid proposed an international diplomatic initiative, Justice Minister and Hatnuah leader Tzipi Livni presented a multi-stage plan for long-term quiet while Foreign Minister and Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman floated the idea that the United Nations (UN) become the custodian of the Gaza Strip.
However, in the wake of the renewed rocket fire with ceasefire talks still ongoing, there appears a growing consensus across a wide political spectrum that in the short-term, confrontation is the only route to bring quiet for Israel’s citizens.
Israeli Economy Minister and Bayit Hayeudit (Jewish Home) leader Naftali Bennett declared : “They [Hamas] do not desire quiet, serenity, peace and democracy. Our values are not their values.”
Communications Minister Gilad Erdan, who is also a member of the security cabinet said “Quiet can no longer be achieved by diplomatic means, only by military means.”
Meanwhile, opposition and Labour Party leader Isaac Herzog also urged the use of greater force. He said, “If as Netanyahu said, Hamas has been vanquished, he should reach a diplomatic deal under the best terms possible for Israel … But if the government will surrender in order to bring about a fake quiet like we had until today, it would prove that it is a weak government that has failed.” Fellow Labour MK Nachman Shai commented, “No more talking, shoot… That is the only language Hamas understands.”
Barrage of Gaza rockets shatters ceasefire, bringing Cairo talks to an end
The talks in Cairo had been ongoing for more than a week and although there was little sign of agreement over a long-term Gaza truce, it had been suggested in the Israeli media yesterday that a “narrow” accord was in the works under which Israel would relax some restrictions in return for quiet. However, the suggestion of quiet was shattered Tuesday when three rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip at the southern Israeli city of Beer Sheva, around eight hours before a truce was set to expire.
In response, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recalled Israel’s negotiating team from Cairo and ordered the IDF to strike strategic targets in Gaza. Netanyahu’s spokesman Mark Regev commented, “The Cairo process was built on a total and complete cessation of all hostilities and so when rockets were fired from Gaza, not only was it a clear violation of the ceasefire but it also destroyed the premise upon which the talks were based.”
From around 4pm until midnight, around 50 rockets were fired at Israel, with loud explosions heard in the Tel Aviv region, while warning sirens sounded in Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Beer Sheva, Ashdod and Ashkelon, where a rocket landed near a shopping centre. No injuries or damage was reported. The Home Front Command instructed public bomb shelters to be opened within a 50-mile radius of the Gaza Strip.
Israel’s air force subsequently struck more than 30 sites in Gaza over the course of several hours. Hamas claimed that one of the strikes targeted its top military leader, Mohammed Deif, killing his wife and child.
Meanwhile, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf condemned the “renewed rocket fire” from Gaza, saying it was responsible for the ceasefire breakdown. Harf also emphasised Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza.