Region | Palestinian Territories

Israel Defence Minister issues stiff warning to Gaza militants

Defence Minister Ehud Barak warned on Thursday that militants in Hamas-ruled Gaza would pay a "heavy price" if they continued to target Israel and the military finalised preparations for a possible large-scale assault on the coastal territory.

  • AP
  • Published: 14:04 December 25, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Israel's military said four mortars were fired on Thursday into Israel, causing no injuries
  • Image Credit: Gulf News Archive

Occupied Jerusalem: Defence Minister Ehud Barak warned on Thursday that militants in Hamas-ruled Gaza would pay a "heavy price" if they continued to target Israel and the military finalised preparations for a possible large-scale assault on the coastal territory.

Israel's military said four mortars were fired on Thursday into Israel, causing no injuries. According to Army Radio, a fifth mortar landed at Israel's passenger crossing with Gaza as Gaza Christians were crossing en route to the West Bank town of Bethlehem for Christmas Day celebrations. Security officials had no additional information on that report.

Also on Thursday, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was in Cairo to update Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Israel's objectives.

A day earlier, militants pummeled southern Israel with more than 80 rockets and mortars, causing no injuries but generating widespread panic.

Israeli Cabinet ministers huddled for hours discussing Israel's response to the barrage and defense officials later told The Associated Press that ministers had approved a broad invasion of Gaza that would be launched after winter rains subsided.

"Whoever harms the citizens and soldiers of Israel will pay a heavy price," Barak warned.

Barak did not elaborate. But defence officials, speaking on condition on anonymity because they were not permitted to discuss the plans, said the Israeli operation would likely begin with surgical airstrikes against rocket launchers and continue with a land incursion.

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