Israeli Defense Chief: No Choice But War Against Hamas

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman is calling for war against Hamas, although some analysts believe his harsh rhetoric is a political ploy geared towards shoring up his base ahead of national elections next year. “Anything less than the toughest response won’t help anymore [as] we have exhausted the other options,” Liberman asserted during a meeting of the parliament’s powerful Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. “Wars are only conducted when there is no choice, and now there is no choice.” Liberman along with Education Minister Naftali Bennett—both members of the security cabinet—are pushing for a military campaign following six months of violent Hamas-led demonstrations along the Gaza Strip border. The Jewish state and the Islamist terror group last week were on the brink of a major conflict. However, tensions have since been reduced as international mediators continue their efforts to forge a long-term cease-fire agreement between the sides. According to Israeli media, Jerusalem believes that Hamas currently is working to curb the so-called “March of Return” protests in order to avert a fourth war with Israel in the past decade. Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is slated to convene a high-level meeting that might result in the cut-off of some $100 million in monthly funds to rival Hamas, a move that many believe could induce Gaza’s cash-strapped rulers to initiate a conflagration with Israel.