BICOM

Israeli government leaders met yesterday to assess Operation Protective Edge, but made no apparent decision over whether to launch a ground incursion as the operation entered day seven. Diplomatic moves may also be gathering some momentum in an effort to reach a ceasefire.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the staged offensive last Tuesday in order to quell the persistent rocket fire from Gaza which has targeted Israeli citizens over large swathes of the country. So far, efforts have focused on air strikes on specific targets in Gaza including long-range rocket launchers, Hamas leadership facilities, terror and smuggling tunnels. Speaking to his cabinet yesterday, Netanyahu said, “We are hitting Hamas with continuing and greater strength.” However, he also warned that the operation “could yet take a long time.”

During interviews later in the day with CBS and Fox News, Netanyahu gave little detail of how the operation might unfold, but said it aims to “achieve sustainable quiet and security for our people, and we’re doing that by degrading Hamas and other terror capabilities.” Israeli infantry, tank and artillery forces have been gathered on the Gaza border for several days. Ynet says that although military leaders have presented several options for a ground incursion, Israel’s Security Cabinet yesterday evening refrained from giving the green light for such an operation.

Netanyahu also spoke yesterday by phone with US Secretary of State John Kerry, who according to a State Department official is “concerned about escalating tensions on the ground.” However, Kerry reportedly emphasised his condemnation of rocket attacks and support for Israel’s right to defend itself. Kerry is thought to have discussed the situation with his British, French and German counterparts on the side lines of nuclear talks with Iran in Vienna yesterday.

Maariv claims that US officials have also been in touch with Egypt, Turkey, Qatar and the Palestinian Authority over brokering a long-term truce between Israel and Hamas. Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier will arrive in the region today in an attempt to take tentative steps to working towards such an agreement.