Tel Aviv – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel will destroy the Hamas tunnel network in the Gaza Strip “with or without a cease-fire,” as the military called up another 16,000 reservists to pursue its campaign in the densely-populated territory.
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Netanyahu’s vow came as international efforts to end the 23-day-old conflict seemed to sputter despite concern over the mounting death toll, with more than 1,300 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and more than 50 Israelis, almost all of them soldiers, killed since July 8.
“We have neutralized dozens of terror tunnels and we are committed to complete this mission, with or without a cease-fire,” Netanyahu said. “Therefore I will not agree to any offer that does not allow the military to complete this important mission for the security of the people of Israel.”
An initial Israeli aerial campaign against Hamas was widened into a ground offensive on July 17. Since then the campaign has concentrated on destroying more than 30 cross-border tunnels that militants have constructed to carry out attacks on Israeli territory.
Israel says that most of the 32 tunnels it has uncovered have now been demolished and that getting rid of the remainder will take no more than a few days.
The new reserve call-up follows another day of heavy fighting, in which tank shells struck a U.N. school where Palestinians were sheltering and an airstrike tore through a crowded Gaza shopping area. At least 116 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers were killed Wednesday.
Speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to discuss the matter with the press, an Israeli defense official said the purpose of the latest call-up was to provide relief for troops currently on the Gaza firing line. However, Israeli officials have also said they do not rule out broadening operations in the coming days.
Fifty-six Israeli soldiers and three civilians on the Israeli side have been killed since the offensive began, as Palestinians have fired hundreds of rockets at Israel — some reaching major cities — and carried out attacks through tunnels beneath the heavily guarded frontier.
Israel has called up a total of 86,000 reserves during the Gaza war, which it launched to try to end rocket fire from Hamas and other armed groups.
Look in the Torah. It states openly if you defile the holy land you will be vomited out.
B”H In even the most technologically advanced tunnels what two men would deign to carry the katusha, now they’ll turn up a tunnel with trains rails but not explain the clickety-clack that nobody heard, and not the quantity of rockets three meters in length that were transported, ah maybe it’s time to admit the tunnels are not the passageway for weapons arriving to the Gaza Strip. The anti-war peace for all camp is basically underground but the seeds are destined to sprout.
Makes one think, doesn’t it? I have nothing but admiration for the Bostoner Rebbes, both of them. So if you can post the source where we can read or hear what the Rebbe said, I would greatly appreciate it.
Just one “but.” You started with “There is no way to get to every tunnel in a couple of days.” That’s not what Israelis are saying. Read again: “Israel says that most of the 32 tunnels it has uncovered have now been demolished and that getting rid of the remainder will take no more than a few days.” They obviously mean: the remainder of the discovered 32 tunnels will be destroyed in few days. Certainly, the search for all the tunnels that are as of yet haven’t been found will take longer. That may be why Netanyahu is trying to prepare the public to the probability, if not certainty, that this campaign may be prolonged.