Bibi: Military Operation in Gaza Only as Last Resort

By Staff, Agencies

“Israeli” Prime Minister said Thursday, that the “Israeli” entity will pursue only a ground operation in the Gaza Strip if all other options fail, as efforts to restore the calm between the entity and Hamas after several days of fighting appeared to be taking effect.

Netanyahu was referring to the Palestinian protests planned for Saturday, to mark the one-year anniversary of the weekly March of Return demonstrations, which often deteriorate into riots that lead to Gazan casualties. Hamas plans to have a "million-man march" along the Gaza border.

“If we need a broader operation, we will enter it strong and confident, and after we have exhausted all other options,” Netanyahu said, hours after visiting troops sent to the Gaza border after the fighting broke out Monday.

“We’re creating a security cordon around the Gaza Strip, in recent days I’ve moved troops and added equipment so that we’re ready for a broad operation,” said Netanyahu.

He went on to say, “If we need a broad operation (in the Gaza Strip), we’ll enter it strong and secure after all other options have failed.”

A short while after Netanyahu’s speech ceremony inaugurating a new segment of Route 6 toll road, the “Israel” Occupation Forces [IOF] announced it completed its preparations for possible riots during the March of Return and Land Day, a day expressing solidarity with the Palestinians in the territories.

The IOF Spokesman’s Unit said that due to the tense and sensitive situation, all fighting forces in the so-called “Israeli” Southern Command will remain on their bases during the weekend, and a division, three brigades and artillery forces have been deployed to the Gaza border.