The Israeli government has given security forces the go-ahead to take pinpoint action against missile launching cells in Gaza, despite a Gaza cease-fire declared between Israelis and Palestinian in late November.
The decision was made on Wednesday morning in light of continued missile attacks on Israeli communities. Two teenagers were wounded in missile attacks on Sderot on Tuesday evening, one critically.
An estimated 60 missiles have been launched onto Israel from Gaza since the cease-fire came into effect. Israel has so far chosen to refrain from a military response.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert discussed the restraint policy with Defense Minister Amir Peretz and security officials on Wednesday morning.
Despite the decision, the Israeli government maintains Jerusalem will continue to preserve the cease-fire and will urge the Palestinian Authority to take immediate action against the missile launchers.
Peretz and senior military officials have been calling on the Israel government to halt its policy of restraint in Gaza, in light of the continuing missile attacks on southern Israeli communities.
The cease-fire has not been extended to the West Bank, where the Israeli army is continuing operations.
Eight missiles were fired onto Israel on Tuesday, the most fired in a single day since the cease-fire was announced.
The Al-Quds Brigades, an armed group linked to Islamic Jihad, said attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip would continue.
Attacks would increase, the groups said, “as long as Israel continues its crimes of arrests, killings, destruction and confiscation of Palestinian lands and collective punishment against the Palestinian people,” according to the Palestinian Ramattan news agency.
Prior to the meeting, Peretz said he believed Israel could not continue its policy of restraint and should take out rocket launchers in Gaza, Israel Radio reported.
Several other Israeli politicians urged the government to take action against the rocket launchers.
In a separate development, Israel has approved the construction of a new community in the West Bank. Peretz approved a plan to repopulate the Maskiot community and build 30 new homes to house Israelis evacuated from Gush Qatif, in the Gaza Strip, last year.
The decision to repopulate Maskiot with evacuees was originally made by former defense minister Shaul Mofaz and former prime minister Ariel Sharon.
The move has garnered criticism from Palestinian officials and prompted concern in Washington.
The approval is perceived to be in contravention of the Road Map peace plan, which urges Israel to freeze the expansion of West Bank communities.