Before Flying To Moscow, Netanyahu Approves Further Strikes In Gaza

Thursday March 24, 2011 05:05 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Israeli sources reported Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, approved a series of strikes in the Gaza Strip before he headed to Russia.

Benjamin Netanyahu - File

The decision came during a meeting he held at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, with Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, Deputy Defense Minister, Matan Vilnai, Army Chief of Staff, Benny Gantz, and Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin.

The meeting focused on evaluating the current situation following the recent escalation in the Gaza Strip and the Wednesday bombing in Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, Egypt issued a statement warning Israel not to rush into a military offensives targeting the Gaza Strip.

Official spokesperson of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Minha Bakhoum, stated that Foreign Minister, Nabil Al Arabi, demanded Israel to show self-restraint and to refrain from rushing into a military offensive against the Gaza Strip.

Al Arabi stated that such an offensive will only lead to further tension and escalation.

He added that escalation will not serve the interests of the Palestinians and the Israelis, and will not help the efforts to achieve peace and stability.

He concluded by stating that nobody should give Israel the chance to practice violence, and that Egypt’s steady policy is rejecting and denouncing any attacks against civilians.

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