March 13, 2012
As rocket attacks ease, Netanyahu reiterates his Gaza policy
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on March 13. Photo by REUTERS/Lior Mizrahi
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reiterating his policy of responding to Gaza violence, said that Israel “will find” whoever breaks the calm.
“Our message is clear: Quiet will bring quiet. Whoever violates it or even tries to violate it—we will find him,” Netanyahu said Tuesday evening.
That evening, two rockets struck southern Israel after seven hours of calm. In the morning, hours after reports of an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire following several days of rockets being fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip, at least seven rockets and mortar shells exploded in Israel.
Terrorist groups in Gaza began launching a barrage of rockets at Israel on March 9 after Israel assassinated Zuhir Mussah Ahmed Kaisi, leader of the Popular Resistance Committees in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces believed Kaisi was planning a terrorist strike in Israel.
Since the violence began four days ago, more than 200 rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip.
At least 26 Palestinians, including a 14-year-old and three other civilians, were killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza. The majority of those killed were terrorists, including 14 from Islamic Jihad, according to the IDF.
At least seven Israelis and foreign workers in Israel have been wounded, two seriously, and dozens have been treated for shock, according to reports.
Schools that have been closed for the last three days in cities and towns including Beersheba, Ashkelon and Ashdod were scheduled to reopen Wednesday.
