As tense negotiations continue in Cairo between Israel and representatives of Hamas and other Gaza-based terror organizations continued on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with leaders of southern communities and assured them that the State would protect them. “The IDF launched Operation Protective Edge after Hamas returned to drizzle rocket fire on the southern communities,” the prime minister said. “Our policy is clear and consistent – even to a drizzle we respond forcefully. We launched this campaign to strengthen the security of all Israeli citizens in general, and yours in particular.” However, criticism of Netanyahu’s handling of the crisis has grown in recent days, and will probably be an issue in elections which some analysts believe could come before the end of the year. Read More
