■ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the people of Israel for “standing strong.”
Netanyahu cites ‘success’ against Hamas, offers condolences
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation in a live television broadcast Friday afternoon, thanking the people of Israel for “standing strong” during the 11 days of war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The stalwartness of the Israeli people allowed the nation to achieve its goals with “unprecedented success,” Netanyahu said.
The prime minister expressed his condolences to the families of the Israelis killed by Hamas fire during the operation and wished all the wounded a full and speedy recovery.
“We struck at most of Hamas’ capabilities,” Netanyahu said.
Earlier Friday, military spokesman Brig. Gen. Hidai Zilberman listed Israel’s military achievements in the 11 days of war.
Israeli forces destroyed some 62 miles of Hamas’ “Metro” network of tunnels in the Gaza Strip, Zilberman reported. Speaking hours after an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire took effect, Zilberman reported that some 200
Hamas operatives, including 25 high-ranking members, had been targeted and killed in Israeli military strikes.
Israeli forces also demolished some 340 rocket launching devices and 70 multiple rocket launchers with four to 18 barrels, as well as 35 assets used to launch mortars.
Israeli military strikes — executed through combined air, artillery and naval operations — destroyed 10 of Hamas’ government offices, 11 premises of its internal security forces and five banks used by Hamas.
Zilberman said Israel’s Iron Dome defense system had intercepted 90 percent of incoming rockets deemed threats to populated areas.
Netanyahu touched on the need to provide more fortification for the city of Ashkelon, which was the target of some 1,000 rockets during the operation. He also proposed tax benefits for residents of areas under frequent rocket threat.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz, speaking after Netanyahu, said the time for diplomacy has come.
“It is incumbent on us to build a different reality,” Gantz said. “Diplomacy does not mean lightning deals, rather putting in motion long-term initiatives that will weaken the extremists and strengthen and bring the moderates together. I’ve spoken with the leaders of the moderate Arab states; we have an opportunity for change.”
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said in a televised speech from the Qatari capital of Doha that the war “opened the door to new phases that will witness many victories.” He called it a “quantum leap” that will build support among Palestinians for “resistance” rather than failed negotiations.