(Communicated by the Advisor to the Prime Minister and the Head of the Information Headquarters)
Following Hamas’ violation of the calm and the Hamas authority’s attack on Israeli citizens in southern Israel, on December 24, 2008, the Ministers' Committee on National Security resolved to instruct the Israel Defense Forces to take action to bring about a long-term cessation of the rocket fire and terror attacks originating in Gaza.
The Ministers’ Committee authorized the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Acting Prime Minister, and the Minister of Defense to determine the timing and nature of the action. In accordance with the decision, which was passed unanimously, the three of them agreed on an Air Force operation that began this morning.
Israel wishes to make it clear that it will continue acting against terrorist and rocket fire activity out of Gaza directed against its civilians.