Israel needs to prepare for a long-term confrontation with Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Sunday.
The Israeli government decided to continue its pinpoint attacks against missile-launching cells and metal workshops in the Gaza Strip. Olmert said Israel’s operations in Gaza would not be conditional on the actions of Hamas.
“I vow that anyone involved in firing Qassams or providing supplies will be harmed,” the premier said. “No one involved in terrorism is immune.”
The Israeli army received approval to broaden its ground operations in Gaza but this expansion is limited and forces will not be entering built-up areas, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported.
For the time being the government will continue to attack rocket-launching cells from the air.
Hamas has claimed responsibility for more than 250 Qassam rockets that have been launched onto Israel since May 15.
Oshri Oz, a 36-year-old computer technician, who was visiting a client in the southern town Sderot, was killed when a rocket landed near his car on Sunday. Oz was the second Israeli to be killed by a missile in the recent barrage of rocket fire.
More than 40 Palestinians, including both armed fighters and civilians, have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza in response to the missiles launchings.
Israeli security forces have also arrested dozens of Hamas operatives in the West Bank, including mayors, members of parliament and two cabinet ministers. The measure is intended to pressure the operatives in Gaza to stop firing missiles.
The Israeli army says Hamas, which Israel designates a terror organization, is trying to enhance its terror infrastructure in the West Bank based on the model used in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas has said it is prepared to stop firing missiles if Israel ends its activities in Gaza.