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Latest update: 25/03/2011
- Gaza Strip - Hamas - Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israel set to use 'great force' against militants
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that his country is prepared to act with "great force" against militant offensives, one day after a series of attacks spurred Israel to launch retaliatory strikes in Gaza.
AFP - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that Israel is ready to act with "great force" against militant attacks, a day after Israelis launched retaliatory strikes in Gaza.
Israel had been "subjected to bouts of terror and rocket attacks," Netanyahu said following a spate of rocket fire on southern Israel from Gaza and a bombing in Jerusalem that killed one and wounded more than 30 people.
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"We stand ready to act with great force and great determination to put a stop to it," Netanyahu told reporters before a meeting with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates.
The prime minister said he had received a "very warm" phone call from US President Barack Obama on Thursday expressing his condolences over the latest attacks.
"Any civilised society will not tolerate such wanton attacks on its civilians," he said.
Gates, a former CIA director with years of experience in Washington, said US-Israel security ties were as strong as they had ever been at a time when the region is in "turmoil."
In Tel Aviv on Thursday, Gates said Washington firmly backed Israel's right to respond to the both the rocket fire and the Jerusalem bombing, which he described as "repugnant acts."
But he suggested Israel should tread carefully or risk derailing the course of popular unrest sweeping Arab and Muslim countries in the Middle East.
The US defence chief is pressing Israeli and Palestinian leaders to take "bold action" for peace despite soaring tensions, saying political upheaval in the region offered an opportunity.
After his talks with Netanyahu, Gates is due to head to the West Bank to meet Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.
Several regional powers have already urged Israel to show restraint amid fears Netanyahu would order another ground invasion of Gaza.
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Comments (4)
This subject!
@ Ariely It's good to know that someone still stands for the truth out there.
occupaiotn is the route cast of terror
occupation must be end other wise the all countries should study history that in occupation people retaliate and fight for freedom and occupier blame that this is terrorism , this is not terrorism until the don`t leave occupation this is freedom fighting
great force or measured force
It is interesting to note that the Israeli newspapers that covered the PM's speech say he said 'measured' force. Only here is the translation from the Hebrew: 'great' force. Who is correct??
Lybia and Gaza coverage
Find the differences:
Two events currently covered by the media.
* Civilians are in danger and must be protected!!
Airstrikes are launched by countries which are from 1000 up to 7000 miles away from Benghazi
Media reports that the battle is ""only"" 100 miles away from Benghazi.
Unfortunately Civilians have been killed by the airstrikes.
Media says that the issue of avoiding civilian casualties is difficult.
--- The airstrikes are against Libyan army wearing uniforms, using army vehicles
*Rockets are fired from Gaza against Israeli civilians.
The media avoids telling that the distance from the launching area and Israeli citizens is 15 miles.
Leaders of active countries in Libya are calling Israel not to defend Israeli citizens and avoid bombing the terrorist nearby launching areas.
--- The terrorists doctrine:
!! Hiding among civilians prevents armies with western values the ability to fight. WE IMPOSE A NEW NON CONVENTIONAL EQUATION IN WARS.
Said by Hamas leader Khalid Mash'al on Al-Jazeera.
--------- Hippocrates -------------
Keeping oil price down by paying to the terror supporting Arab/Iran regimes with the Israeli civilians life
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