Gaza - KUNA
Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday vowed to make Hamas pay for "escalating military situation in the Gaza Strip." Netanyahu's threats came in a speech made during the 'war cabinet' meeting moments after the announcement of an Israeli soldier as the first fatality of a Palestinian missile attack that targeted Erez Crossing northern the Strip.
According to Israeli Radio, Netanyahu said "we will continue striking Hamas until calmness is retained for citizens of Israel." The war cabinet, officially the Political-Security Cabinet, is expected to mull a number of issues, including a potential response to Palestinian factions' rejection of the Egyptian-proposed cease-fire initiative. The initiative was tabled last night.
On his part, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon stressed his rejection of any compromise when it comes to Israel's security.
The human toll of the ongoing Operation Protective Edge on Gaza Strip is climbing still and the latest reports brought up the number of Palestinian fatalities to some 192 and the injured to over 1,400, according to medical sources.