Hamas 'ready for a new war in Israel by summer', former IDF general says
Israeli politician and ex-army general say that another Gaza war could be on the horizon after tense day of rocket fire exchanges
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A former Israel Defence Force (IDF) general has warned that Israel could enter another conflict with the Gaza-based militant Palestinian group Hamas before the end of the year.
The housing minister and former head of the army’s Southern Command Yoav Galant told Israel Radio in an interview earlier this week that “the [current] reality, in my assessment, might lead to a situation in which Hamas is drawn to escalation in the spring or the summer.”
While Gen Galant made the same prediction about the summer of 2016, following the exchange of rocket fire between the Gaza Strip and Israeli forces this week many are on edge.
Hamas fired a rocket from the enclave into Israel on Monday, leading to a quick retaliation in the form of a series of strikes by the IDF.
Three Palestinians were injured in around a dozen Israeli strikes throughout the day, including in Gaza City, medical sources in the territory said.
Gazan media reported Hamas officials as accusing Israel of risking another war with the action.
Last month the IDF said that the group's military capabilities had been restored to their pre-2014 war strength.
Hard-right education minister Naftali Bennett said earlier this week that he believed war was “a matter of when, not if.”
“In Gaza, they are continuing to threaten us and try to harm us… Only with a total victory over our enemy will we put an end to this,” he added.
The IDF has played down the political rhetoric.
“We have no interest in an escalation of violence, but are determined to fulfil our obligation and protect the people of Israel from attacks originating in Gaza,” army spokesperson Lt. Col. Peter Lerner told The Times of Israel.
“The strikes… against Hamas positions were a clear message that it is responsible for the attacks against Israel and will be held accountable,” he said.
Before this week, the most recent rocket fire from Gaza into Israel occurred in October.
Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008.
Since the last war in 2014, a fragile ceasefire along the largely closed border has been observed
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments