Barak: 'Operation won't be easy'
Photo: Ofer Amram
Barak: Gaza operation near
Defense minister says in radio interview that clock is ticking on extensive operation in Strip, but adds 'such an operation is not easy in terms of forces, time frame or challenges to be met'
"We will use all our diplomatic means to weaken the Hamas leadership and its effectiveness, but the truth must be told, we are nearing an extensive operation in Gaza," Defense Minister Ehud Barak told army radio Wednesday morning.
The minister explained there were many reasons why the operation was not carried out in the past few weeks, and added that an operation in Gaza "is not easy in terms of forces, the amount of time that the IDF would have to stay there, or in terms of the operational challenges the fighters will be met with.
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"We know that in Sderot life is still far from normal like in central Israel. Very extensive intelligence and operational activity is taking place in Sedort and the Gaza vicinity. The Shin Bet and IDF fighters, along with the Israel Air Force, are trying to minimize as much as possible the Qassam attacks. Unfortunately, we are still unable to do that."
The minister praised IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi's activity, saying, "I think that what Ashkenazi has done in the IDF over the past six months is really divine work. They are going back to the basics: Training under live fire, long-term planning and back up. All the credit for this sense of security should go to Chief of Staff Ashkenazi, to the IDF commanders and the soldiers."
Barak said that while other countries had more reasons to feel safe than Israel, the state's sense of security is being restored, thanks to "an army that stands on its feet and gets the job done right, and is backed by reserves who can at any minute show up and give from themselves".
